“Finding Success Through Continuous Pivots”: Entrepreneurship Lecture by NextUnicorn CEO Jaeyong Jang    On November 19, the Entrepreneurship Academy Lecture Series for the second semester of the 2024 academic year, hosted by Korea University Business School (Dean: Eonsoo Kim) and the Startup Institute (Director: Jungbien Moon), was held at The Stage on the 2nd floor of the Business Main Building. NextUnicorn, a platform service provider connecting startups and investors under the motto, "Solving startup problems to innovate the world," participated in the event. Jaeyong Jang, CEO of NextUnicorn, delivered a lecture on the theme "Insights for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs." The topic reflected his aspiration to provide practical support to aspiring entrepreneurs.      CEO Jaeyong Jang shared his journey of entrepreneurship, highlighting multiple pivots along the way. After leaving Gallup Korea, he launched a music player business with a friend. However, the rapid rise of streaming services posed significant challenges. In response, he pivoted to create My Music Taste, a platform that enabled concerts based on music fans’ data. Embarking on his entrepreneurial journey independently, he introduced LOOK SO FINE, an application that recommended fashion styles tailored to the weather. Later, he turned his focus to e-commerce, operating the cross-border fashion shopping app HALFZ (also known as Harpers) and expanding into the U.S. market. Despite this growth, HALFZ faced difficulties due to insufficient app tracking systems in the U.S. and the high cost of marketing, ultimately prompting another pivot in its strategy.    CEO Jaeyong Jang shared the key criteria he uses when selecting new business ideas: focusing on areas he knows well, businesses requiring future value and technological strength, B2B models, fields that earn social respect, and ventures with high profitability. He encouraged the audience to establish their own set of standards. Reflecting on his past experiences, he recounted meeting Enrico Beltramini, who expressed interest in the Asian market while Jang was seeking investors for Harpers. That meeting made him realize the necessity of fostering a stronger startup ecosystem in Korea, which ultimately inspired the business model for NextUnicorn.      CEO Jaeyong Jang concluded his lecture by sharing key insights for entrepreneurs: “Most initial ideas of entrepreneurs fail,” “Positioning is crucial,” “You must have a strong rationale for your business and a compelling motivation for starting it,” “Aim for monopoly,” and “Don’t give up until it works.” These words served as a powerful and inspiring message for aspiring entrepreneurs.    During the Q&A session following the lecture, a student asked about the secret behind consistent success for entrepreneurs in a startup world where luck plays a significant role. CEO Jaeyong Jang responded, “Entrepreneurs who seem lucky have often fought relentlessly until their luck turned in their favor. Their volume of decision-making is overwhelming.” He advised aspiring entrepreneurs to increase the sheer number of decisions they make, emphasizing the importance of testing hypotheses, generating results, and moving forward based on those outcomes.      In closing, CEO Jaeyong Jang encouraged the students by saying, “I don’t believe my thoughts are the absolute answer,” and “Only the experiences you go through, the value judgments you make, and the decisions you reach on your own will guide your life to the next level.” 

Connected Through 'Business' — 2024 Fall Semester Mentoring Day    Korea University Business School (KUBS, Dean: Eonsoo Kim) successfully hosted its 2024 Fall Semester Faculty Mentoring Day on November 20-21. The event took place at the Cuckoo Seminar Room and Young Il Ahn Hall in the LG-POSCO Hall, where faculty advisors and students came together to share lunch and engage in conversations. Since 2007, KUBS has organized Mentoring Day annually to promote interaction between faculty and students.      During the event, professors and students discussed topics such as academics, campus life, and career planning. Professor Kihoon Kim shared, “I couldn’t join last year as I was on sabbatical, but it’s wonderful to meet so many new students this time. While it’s hard to dive into deep conversations during the first meeting, it’s great to establish a relationship where students feel comfortable asking questions in the future.”      Jaesung Kim, a Business major (Class of 2020), who spoke with Professor Kim, commented, “I entered university during the COVID-19 pandemic, took a leave of absence, and served in the military, so I didn’t have many opportunities to meet professors in person. It was great to have meaningful conversations this time.” Another student, Ji Hyang Ahn (Business, Class of 2024), remarked, “Talking with a professor reassured me, knowing there’s someone to rely on during my university life. It was also a great opportunity to meet students from various countries.”    The event concluded on a warm and congenial note, leaving participants with a sense of connection and inspiration. 

"Producers of Knowledge" – KUBS-DBA Admissions Information Session Successfully Held    On October 17, the Korea University Business School (KUBS) hosted an admissions information session for the 2025 Doctor of Business Administration (KUBS-DBA) program at the Young Il Ahn Hall of the LG-POSCO Hall. The event, led by Associate Dean for MBA Programs Gangseog Ryu, featured a detailed presentation and welcomed attendees who had pre-registered to learn more about the KUBS-DBA program.     The KUBS-DBA program is a doctoral degree designed to develop Korean-style business theories based on practical and professional experiences. It distinguishes itself from traditional academic Ph.D. and MBA programs. While MBA programs emphasize acquiring and applying management knowledge for practical use, KUBS-DBA focuses on creating new knowledge derived from real-world experience and practice. In essence, the program positions itself as a "producer of knowledge," transforming professional experience into academic and practical insights.    Although the KUBS-DBA and traditional Ph.D. programs both emphasize knowledge creation, their objectives and approaches differ. Ph.D. programs focus on establishing universal, generalized, and abstract theories, typically presented in the form of academic papers. In contrast, the KUBS-DBA program prioritizes the development of specific, practical theories that can be applied in real-world settings. Research outputs include not only academic papers but also practical papers, business case studies, and professional books.      To design the KUBS-DBA program, KUBS leveraged its extensive expertise to develop an optimal curriculum. The program fosters innovative and valuable knowledge based on practical experience, enabling learners to realize their research through dissertations, case studies, and seminar presentations.    The three-year program follows a structured, step-by-step approach to knowledge development. Year 1 focuses on building foundational capabilities for independent and creative research while exploring potential research topics. Year 2 involves studying advanced and specialized subjects tailored to individual interests, refining research topics further. Year 3 is dedicated to writing and presenting the doctoral dissertation.    Graduates of the KUBS-DBA program, who earn the Doctor of Business Administration degree, have the opportunity to pursue diverse career paths. By balancing their studies with professional work, they can apply their specialized knowledge within their organizations and in broader professional contexts. Potential career options include roles as business consultants, researchers, freelance professional lecturers, and academic positions such as full-time, industry-focused, adjunct, or visiting professors, empowering graduates to mentor and guide the next generation of professionals.      As part of the 2025 admissions process, document screening results were announced on November 22, with interviews scheduled for November 30. Final admission results will be released on December 13. 

Alumnus Hui Sung Yoo Donates 1 Billion KRW, Continuing His Legacy of Generosity      Mr. Hui Sung Yoo (Class of 1958), an alumnus with a heartfelt wish to dedicate everything to his alma mater, Korea University, and its Business School, has an inspiring history of giving that dates back to 2011. That year, he appeared at Korea University and made a remarkable donation of 1 billion KRW to fund the construction of KUBS’s new building. In 2015, he once again visited his alma mater, handing over another check for 1 billion KRW to the development fund. In 2017, he donated a 155-square-meter (approx. 50-pyeong) apartment in Seoul’s Seocho District, valued at 2.4 billion KRW at the time, which held cherished memories of raising his children.    Mr. Yoo’s philanthropy knows no bounds. He donated 1 billion KRW each in 2019 and 2020, followed by additional contributions of 1 billion KRW in early 2022 and again in May 2023, earning him the nickname “The 85-Year-Old Donation King.” Then, in November 2024, much like in 2011, he quietly reappeared to hand over another check for 1 billion KRW to KUBS’s development fund. With this, his total contributions to Korea University and its Business School have reached an astounding 9.4 billion KRW.    On November 19, a ceremony titled the “KUBS Insung Fund Donation Ceremony” was held in the university president’s office. The event, celebrating Mr. Yoo’s latest donation of 1 billion KRW, was attended by President Dong-One Kim, Vice President for Development and External Affairs Hojung Shin, Dean Eonsoo Kim, Mr. Yoo’s children, and fellow alumni from the Class of 1958.    At the ceremony, Mr. Hui Sung Yoo shared, “I have always expressed my desire to give everything I have to Korea University throughout my life, and I plan to continue adhering to this philanthropic philosophy. As we approach the university’s 120th anniversary, I feel immense pride as an alumnus witnessing its ongoing development.” He added, “I hope that the faculty of KUBS will impart knowledge to students through their research, and that these students, through their dedicated studies, will grow into leaders shaping the future, creating a virtuous cycle.”    In response, President Dong-One Kim expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “We deeply appreciate the unwavering love you have shown for your alma mater over the past 13 years. The Insung Fund you have generously donated will actively support the research efforts of KUBS faculty and help nurture creative talents who will lead emerging trends.”    The KUBS Insung Fund, named after the Chinese characters for “仁” (In) from the names of Mr. Yoo’s mother and grandmother, and “星” (Sung) from his own name, supports research initiatives by the school’s faculty. Mr. Yoo’s contributions have been utilized in various ways, including the Insung Scholarship Fund, Insung Research Fund, and Insung Research Award. In recognition of his generosity, Lecture Room B205 in the Hyundai Motor Hall has been named the “Hui Sung Yoo Lecture Room.” 

“The Startup Train Keeps Running”… 2024 FALL CHOO CHOO DAY     On November 1, the Startup Institute (Director: Jungbien Moon) of Korea University Business School (Dean: Eonsoo Kim) hosted the startup demo day, ‘2024 FALL CHOO CHOO DAY,’ at D.CAMP Seolleung. Organized by the Startup Institute and supported by the LINC 3.0 Project Group and Campus Town Promotion Team, the event was sponsored by the Banks Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs (D.CAMP), Iljin Global, and Donghwa Group. Key figures in attendance included Dean Eonsoo Kim, Vice Dean Dae Il Nam, panelists, and five teams from the Startup Station. The panelists featured ▲ Kang Ki-hyun, Partner at FASTVENTURES ▲ Jung In-oh, Team Leader at POSTECH ▲ Kim Ha-kyung, CEO of ZDVC ▲ Eom Se-yeon, CEO of AUM Ventures ▲ Kim Ha-jung, Investment Analyst at Daseong Ventures, and ▲ Kim Na-yeon, Investment Analyst at Bon Angels.       In the opening remarks, Young-Kyung Kim, Director of the Iljin Startup Support Center at the Startup Institute, stated, 'We have organized this demo day to bring together individual investors, venture capitalists, government agencies, startup-related organizations, and media representatives. We hope for continued support and interest in our future events.' Dean Eonsoo Kim followed, emphasizing that ”Korea University Business School was the first to establish a startup center and has supported 139 teams to date. We are excited to showcase the growth stories and future potential of the five teams presenting today.”     Young-Hoon Park, CEO of D.CAMP, also shared his encouragement, stating, “Our mission is to nurture and develop startup teams, and I hope that the five teams presenting today will experience significant growth and benefit from our ongoing support."       The five startup teams showcased at CHOO CHOO DAY included:     ▲ Alphamonto, an all-in-one styling service offering personalized solutions for men.     ▲ MATARI, which provides high-end Korean dining experiences, starting with the mechanized restoration of traditional Korean liquor.     ▲ Daebong, Daebong, an agricultural sourcing partner for online sellers     ▲ HEARLERS, an AI-powered, personalized interactive counseling service.     ▲ AKEO edu, a customized coding tutor platform.          Before the presentations, Tae-Hyun Kim, CEO of Landing—a graduate startup team from the 14th cohort of Startup Station that participated in last year’s CHOO CHOO DAY—took the stage as an open mic speaker. Landing is a platform designed to streamline workflows for generative AI in design. CEO Kim envisioned the future achievements of the five teams, offering a virtual portrayal of the goals they might one day reach. He went on to advise, “Around this time last year, I felt like I had bought my ticket at the Startup Station and was beginning my journey. If your destination is clear, pursue your big dreams, even if there are obstacles along the way.”       The event featured five-minute pitches from each startup team, followed by a seven-minute Q&A session with panelists and the audience. The day concluded with closing remarks from Jungbien Moon, Director of the Startup Institute, followed by a networking session for all participants. 

BA Alumni Share Practical Knowledge on Using Business Analytics in the Workplace… DTB Colloquium    On October 30, the Center for Digital Transformation & Business (CDTB) at Korea University Business School hosted a ‘DTB Colloquium’ at LG-POSCO Hall. The event featured two sessions led by BA alumni, focusing on practical cases of Business Analytics (BA) knowledge application in professional fields."     The first session featured Kunsu Park, a graduate from the fourth BA cohort and a member of SK Siltron’s HR2 Team, who shared his experience applying data analysis techniques in human resources (HR) to support corporate decision-making.       Park explained HR data analysis through BA in four main stages: Status Reporting, Advanced Reporting, Issue Resolution, and Predictive Analysis. He outlined that after establishing an understanding of the current status, analysis progresses to advanced reporting to address various HR issues. Issue resolution then involves targeted analyses to solve specific problems, while predictive analysis focuses on supporting decision-making processes. However, Park noted that 'most domestic companies are still only at the status reporting stage, and it is rare to see cases advancing to higher-level analyses or predictive stages.’     He also presented a case study analyzing employee dissatisfaction and needs using review data from Blind, an anonymous workplace community. He explained, 'Blind allows employees to leave honest, anonymous reviews of their companies, making it possible to analyze genuine opinions.' By examining review data from 2020 to 2024 for companies in the semiconductor and battery sectors, including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and LG Energy Solution, he identified key factors contributing to employee dissatisfaction.     Park emphasized the importance of using data to understand employee needs as a foundation for corporate decision-making, underscoring that feedback-based HR decisions are essential. He explained that BA-driven analysis could 'serve as a way to reflect employee opinions,' though he cautioned that 'anonymous review data has limitations when used as a predictive source and requires more thorough validation.' His presentation illustrated the practical applications of BA in HR and suggested ways corporate decision-making can evolve through data-driven insights.       The second session featured Sungjae Yoon, an AI Consultant at LG Management Research Institute, who discussed 'AI-Based Industrial Trend Analysis and Relevant Answer Generation (RAG) Technology Applications.' A graduate of the third BA cohort, Yoon is currently addressing a variety of business challenges through AI-driven consulting. As the think tank of LG Group, LG Management Research Institute conducts research on major AI-related industrial trends and develops AI technologies to support these studies. Specifically, Yoon has been working on a project utilizing BERTopic and RAG models to analyze and summarize extensive research data and the latest trends, while also enhancing the intelligence of the internal research environment.       Yoon explained the use of BERTopic for trend analysis and text clustering, describing how he leverages this text clustering technique to analyze extensive report data by categorizing research topics and extracting keywords. 'By utilizing large language models (LLMs) for Korean embedding and topic naming, we overcame previous analysis limitations,' Yoon noted.    This approach enables effective identification of changes in specific trends and a deeper understanding of relevant companies. For example, when analyzing trends related to a prominent company like NVIDIA, meaningful insights are extracted, such as associations with Microsoft or OpenAI.     Yoon emphasized that "AI-based technologies are essential for uncovering valuable insights from massive datasets and enhancing research efficiency." He concluded by highlighting that “various AI technologies, including RAG, will play a pivotal role in transforming research environments in the future.”       The CDTB at the Business School organizes 4-5 DTB Colloquiums and Seminars annually to promote business strategies and trends related to digital transformation.