“A Business Major Embraces Art” — The Startup Journey of Open Gallery CEO Park Eui-gyu 

A special lecture, part of the Entrepreneurship Academy, was held on Tuesday, April 29 in Room B307 (Kolon Lecture Hall) of the Hyundai Motor Hall. The event was hosted by the Startup Research Institute at Korea University Business School. The lecture, titled "Starting a Business in Arts & Culture: Pioneering a Non-Existent Market," was delivered by Park Eui-gyu, CEO of the art rental platform Open Gallery. He offered a candid and insightful account of the challenges and realities of launching a business in the cultural and arts sector, as well as his entrepreneurial journey in building a startup from the ground up. 

A graduate of Korea University Business School, CEO Park founded Open Gallery with the vision of making art more accessible in everyday life. He shared candid insights into the process of turning an initial idea into a functioning service, the trials and errors encountered in the market, the strategies he used for growth, and how he continues to pursue his mission of “democratizing art.” 

The lecture began with an introduction to Open Gallery. The company offers a service that allows users to rent and install artworks by popular Korean artists at affordable prices. It also provides personalized recommendations from professional curators, along with a QR code service that gives users detailed information about each piece. “By bringing art into everyday spaces, we act as a bridge between the public and artists,” Park said. “Our mission is to help talented artists gain the exposure they deserve.” Currently, more than 2,500 artists have registered approximately 67,000 artworks on the platform. 

Park also shared how he drew on his background in strategy consulting to identify inefficiencies in the arts sector and develop an innovative model to solve them.  “There were virtually no international cases to benchmark,” he recalled. “So I conducted interviews with over a hundred people to understand consumer needs in detail, one by one.” His method of uncovering the intersection between art and business offered valuable insights to the audience. 

He also shared practical advice for students preparing to launch their own ventures. “Starting a business is a highly unconventional path,” he said. “Once you make the decision, you must treat it as your top priority for the next ten years.”  Park emphasized the unique appeal of entrepreneurship, calling it “the most effective way to solve real-world problems.” 

He also spoke about the mindset and leadership qualities essential for entrepreneurship.  “You need the resilience to endure failure and the ability to turn setbacks into assets,” he said, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and feedback. “Leadership is about earning people's trust,” he continued. “You have to find balance in your business by harmonizing with people from diverse backgrounds.”

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, during which Park offered heartfelt encouragement to aspiring student entrepreneurs. “Entrepreneurship is ultimately an expression of individuality,” he remarked. “Above all, it’s important to meet people from various walks of life and broaden your engagement with the world.” By addressing the real concerns of student entrepreneurs, he offered both a realistic view of the startup ecosystem and warm encouragement—adding depth and energy to the event’s conclusion. 

This lecture was part of the Entrepreneurship Academy series organized by the Startup Station. The program invites seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts to deliver practical insights and support for aspiring and early-stage founders. Korea University Business School will continue to support student entrepreneurs by offering a range of lecture series and practice-oriented programs designed to foster their growth and encourage new challenges.