At the 119th Commencement Ceremony of Korea University Business School, the President’s Award was presented to Jisoo Jeong (Korea MBA) and Juhyun Park (Undergraduate), while the Dean’s Award was awarded to Soontaek Jeon (Korea MBA), Kyungcheon Choi (Executive MBA), and Subin Chae (Finance MBA). We present the stories of these outstanding individuals who achieved the highest distinction in their respective programs.

Hello, my name is Juhyun Park from the Business Administration Class of 2023, and I am honored to deliver this valedictory address. 

First, on behalf of all graduating students, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Dean, professors, parents, seniors and juniors, and distinguished guests who have joined us today to celebrate this occasion. 

When I first entered the university, I vividly remember the campus just after a graduation ceremony held by our seniors. Perhaps because that memory closely resembles today, it feels especially meaningful to now stand here as one of the graduates on this beautifully prepared campus. Beginning my university life at the threshold of spring and graduating with the arrival of another spring breeze feels like a poetic symmetry of beginnings and farewells. 

From the passionate joint cheering event at Hwajeong Gymnasium, to eating jajangmyeon at the Central Plaza on April Fools’ Day, and to the unforgettable moments of the Daedong Festival and Ipselenti, the crimson spirit of Korea University has gradually and deeply taken root in our hearts. 

I would like to share a line from our cheering song, “Ode to Youth”: 
“Ah, beautiful love—become romance. Shoulder to shoulder, our united youth shines.” 

One of the reasons I truly love Korea University is that we see one another not as competitors to overcome, but as companions who move forward together. Now, I believe it is time to carry this spirit of unity into the wider world. 

As time passes, the physical hardships we endured may fade, but the emotions and warmth of those moments remain. Wherever life takes you, I hope you will continue forward while remembering the carefree joy of your undergraduate days. 

To be honest, the word “graduation” once felt daunting to me. However, the word “farewell” carries not only a sense of parting, but also a wish for well-being and peace. Just as every moment we spent here has shaped who we are today, I hope our memories of Korea University will remain with us as warm and cherished ones. 

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank my professors, seniors and juniors, dear classmates, and my family who have always supported me. And to all my fellow graduates—congratulations. I wish you all the very best. 

Thank you. 

Hello, I am Jisoo Jeong, and I am deeply honored to receive the President’s Award upon completing the Korea MBA program. 

Although I did not begin this journey with the goal of receiving this award, I am truly grateful to be able to conclude these two years in such a meaningful way. Balancing work and study was by no means easy. There were moments of physical exhaustion and times when the demands felt overwhelming. Yet, I made a conscious effort not to lose sight of the passion and aspirations I had when I first applied. Looking back, I believe that the consistency of those efforts has led to this meaningful outcome. Above all, I would like to applaud all my fellow classmates who have persevered and given their best in their respective roles. 

When I reflect on my time here, what stands out most is the people. Even amid busy professional lives, we engaged in passionate discussions and shared our thoughts and experiences. These moments will remain with me for a long time. Spending many years in one field can naturally limit one’s perspective, but the peers I met in the Korea MBA broadened and deepened my view of the world. Conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences were always opportunities for learning, both inside and outside the classroom. Along the way, I also met many inspiring individuals who made me think, “I hope to become someone like that.” More than any extraordinary moment, it is the simple conversations and shared laughter before and after class that I will cherish most. 

The most valuable takeaway from this program was not merely an expansion of knowledge. More than anything, it was the opportunity to better understand myself. During my undergraduate years, I did not fully understand what I enjoyed or what my strengths were. However, through the Korea MBA program, I came to see more clearly what kinds of work interest me and in what situations I feel both joy and a sense of accomplishment. Through team projects and various activities, I was able to better recognize the roles I can play and the strengths I can contribute. At the same time, interactions with peers who hold different perspectives helped me develop a more flexible and broader view of the world. 

To those who will follow, I would like to encourage you not to give up too easily on the experiences that can only be found in school. Balancing work and study will inevitably bring challenging moments, but in those times, I hope you will revisit the motivation that first led you to apply. Two years may seem long, but they pass more quickly than you expect. I hope you will allow yourselves to be a little more ambitious—to learn, to connect, and to fully embrace student life. I believe that this time will come to hold far greater meaning than you might anticipate. 

The past two years have been a time in which I was able to grow by learning new things and gaining diverse experiences. Now, as I return to my daily life, I hope to carry forward the strengths I discovered here and apply them meaningfully in my professional work, continuing to grow further. Above all, I feel deeply grateful to have built meaningful relationships—connections through which we can share memories, stay in touch, and reconnect at any time, even if we may not meet as often as we do now. Continuing to cherish and sustain these relationships is another goal I hope to carry with me after graduation. 

I remember the day we first met. 
It was a damp winter day—hazy, cold, and filled with a sense of unfamiliarity. 

I also remember the last day. 
Despite the bitter cold of that winter, it was a warm and clear day, and we exchanged our final greetings and congratulations. 

Two years passed more quickly than I expected. Some of us came here in pursuit of a new degree, others to seek business opportunities, and still others simply to learn. Along the way, we met many people and gained countless experiences. For many of us, this was a time to build new relationships—and through them, to discover new opportunities, insights, and growth. 

The most meaningful realization I had during these two years was this: 
the world is far wider than I had imagined, and there are many more things I can do, learn, and aspire to. I came to understand that I do not need to remain confined within my own familiar environment or be defined solely by my industry or existing relationships. 

Many who pursue an MBA have already achieved a certain level of success in their respective fields. Yet even then, it is easy to become enclosed within one’s own world and surroundings, losing sight of how vast the world truly is—and how many possibilities remain unexplored. Through conversations and relationships with peers from diverse fields and backgrounds, I was reminded of just how expansive and full of opportunity the world is. Even if I return to my daily life, this experience has allowed me to continue seeing beyond the boundaries of my original world. For that alone, I feel truly grateful. 

To those who will follow, I would like to share one piece of advice: 
meet as many people as you can, with an open mind. Listen, and engage in meaningful conversations. 

A space where professionals gather without a specific agenda—simply to share thoughts, exchange ideas, and inspire one another—is incredibly rare. You have been given that opportunity. I hope you fully embrace it and make the most of your time here. And above all, I hope you leave with your own meaningful realizations. 

Hello, I am Kyungcheon Choi, and I am honored to receive the Dean’s Award upon completing the Executive MBA program at Korea University. 

“The entrepreneurial spirit of a startup met the intellectual rigor of Anam—bringing management to its full realization.” 

Two years ago, as I walked up the hill of Anam, I made a commitment to reinterpret the management theories I learned in the classroom and apply them directly to the realities of the startup world. The academic insights of my professors, combined with the practical expertise of fellow students across diverse industries, became a critical foundation for building a management system optimized for startups. My efforts to translate daily learning into tangible outcomes ultimately led to graduating at the top of my class with straight A+ grades. I believe this recognition goes beyond a personal achievement—it reflects how the teachings of Korea University’s Executive MBA can be effectively applied in real-world business settings. 

One of the most memorable experiences during my time in the program was the global management program at Yale University. Through lectures by world-renowned scholars, I was able to broaden my perspective on global business and envision greater possibilities as a business leader. What made this experience especially meaningful was sharing it with my family. Conversations and moments of connection with my spouse and children allowed my learning to extend beyond knowledge into deeper insight about life. That time remains one of the strongest foundations of my personal growth. 

The most valuable asset I gained from this program was the network and relationships that extended beyond the classroom. Serving as Vice President of the student council, I helped create opportunities for meaningful exchange, and through business clubs and CEO gatherings, we shared our experiences and challenges. The collective intelligence formed by leaders from diverse industries was itself a powerful asset that significantly broadened my perspective. In particular, forming a band and performing on stage was a memorable experience that allowed me to truly experience the essence of management—empathy and harmony. 

To those who will follow, I encourage you to embrace bold challenges. The Executive MBA at Korea University offers limitless potential, but turning that potential into real outcomes ultimately depends on your willingness to take initiative. Do not remain within the comfort of familiarity—challenge yourself to go beyond your limits. Also, remember that success in business is not achieved alone, but together. Within the strong network of peers and alumni lies the potential for even greater possibilities. 

Currently, I continue to take on new challenges as the CFO of a physical AI humanoid startup. Drawing on the strategic thinking and financial insight I developed during this program, I successfully led our first institutional investment. Looking ahead, I aim to grow the company into a globally competitive enterprise and ultimately achieve an IPO. In addition, I plan to write a Startup MBA Guidebook to provide a practical roadmap based on real-world experience and learning. I will continue to demonstrate the power that emerges when the intellectual rigor gained in Anam is combined with hands-on experience. 

Hello, I am Subin Chae, and I am honored to receive the Dean’s Award upon completing the Finance MBA program at Korea University. 

I am truly grateful to receive this meaningful recognition in the rigorous academic environment of the Korea University Finance MBA program. Over the past two years, balancing work and study often pushed me to my limits, yet the process itself made me stronger. More than any exceptional talent, I believe it was the accumulation of consistent effort and dedication in every moment that led to this humbling achievement. 

One of the most memorable experiences during my studies was conducting an independent research project and preparing for its final presentation. From selecting a topic and gathering data to analyzing it and deriving meaningful insights, every stage required continuous discussion and a significant investment of time. Although it was not an easy process, the dedication of my teammates and the thoughtful guidance of our professor helped us stay on track. While receiving positive feedback at the final presentation was rewarding, what mattered even more was that the process itself became a valuable experience that deepened my academic understanding. 

What supported me most throughout the program was my effort to continuously connect practical work experience with the theories learned in class. I sought to interpret challenges I encountered at work through academic frameworks, and in particular, concepts from corporate governance courses helped me understand commercial law reforms and market responses with much greater depth. This theoretical foundation not only strengthened my professional performance but also enabled me to explain tasks more clearly and effectively when mentoring junior colleagues. 

To future students, I encourage you to gain the most valuable asset of all during your MBA journey—the people. An MBA is not merely a place to acquire knowledge, but also an opportunity to broaden your perspective through interactions with individuals you would not typically encounter in your professional life. Looking back, the moments of active engagement with others remain more vivid than the time spent focusing solely on studying. While learning can continue individually, the relationships and networks you build here are rare and irreplaceable opportunities. 

The greatest asset I gained from the Finance MBA program was an expanded perspective. Through meeting peers from diverse backgrounds, I developed a deeper understanding of different roles and viewpoints—even within the financial industry. The theories I learned in class also enabled me to approach real-world practice with greater breadth and depth. Moving forward, I aspire to grow into a leader who can offer practical solutions grounded in this broadened perspective. I will continue to move forward steadily, striving to one day return as a proud senior and a reliable mentor to future generations.