Could you please introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Philip Seokgyu Kim, and I’m a proud graduate of KIBS, Class of 2021 (16학번). I’m currently a Campaign Planner (Account Executive) at INNOCEAN, the advertising agency under Hyundai Motor Group. My team primarily manages Hyundai Motor Company’s brand campaigns. With five years of experience in this field, I’ve had the opportunity to work on exciting projects, including the recent ‘Hyundai x Catch! Teenieping’ collaboration campaign, the Hyundai x BBC Archery Campaign in Paris 2024, and more.

Could you share your personal story and what studying at KIBS meant to you?

One of the most impactful aspects of my time at KIBS was the chance to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, transcending age and nationality. For me, this diversity was especially meaningful as someone who attended high school in Chicago, briefly pursued college in the U.S., and eventually found my path at KIBS after making the decision to start fresh. We all do have our own stories alike.
What stood out to me at KIBS was how everyone brought their unique experiences to the table. Unlike where people might stick to the same predictable career paths, my peers at KIBS were charting their own courses in remarkably diverse fields. This individuality and drive were evident even during our time at school, where we were encouraged to think outside the box and approach challenges with creativity.
This dynamic and forward-thinking academic atmosphere helped me develop a flexible and innovative problem-solving mindset. Compared to the more conventional approach often seen in Korea—progressing same way from kindergarten…high school… university to job preparation—I believe KIBS equipped me with the tools to tackle challenges in a more adaptable and creative way.

Is there any advice or message you would like to share with current or future students?

My advice for current and future KIBS students is to fully leverage one of your innate advantages: your language skills. But when I say this, I’m not just talking about improving your English. What I really mean is adopting a mindset that thinks 'out of the box,' much like how foreign languages encourage you to see the world differently.
In my own experience, my interviewers didn’t hire me because I was fluent in English. In fact, among my peers, I had one of the lowest TOEFL scores, and even now, I sometimes get nervous speaking in English. What set me apart was the unconventional way I approached problems. Before joining INNOCEAN, I worked at four different startups, one of which I founded myself. Just before joining INNOCEAN, I even did TM sales at a company. These experiences taught me how to think creatively and tackle challenges from unique angles—and that’s what made me stand out.
To those already at KIBS or considering joining, I urge you to embrace this incredible opportunity. Think of it as “the safest adventure” you could ever have. After all, graduating from KMU means you’re on a safety net: you won’t be unemployed. Use this chance to experiment, grow, and redefine what’s possible for yourself.

Can you tell us about your career path?

In my senior year of university, I dove into the startup world, working for various companies and even founding one myself in 2020. My experience in event planning and promotion naturally led me to establish an event planning company. However, as fate would have it, COVID-19 struck within a year, forcing me to pivot to my original expertise—marketing—by joining a small online advertising agency. (At that point, I couldn’t bear the thought of doing anything offline.)
That year and a half in the online advertising world taught me one crucial lesson: never join a small online agency. It was a grueling, eye-opening experience, but surviving it made me stronger and eventually led me to my current role at INNOCEAN. Here, I’ve been managing Hyundai Motor Company’s brand campaigns and, as mentioned earlier, have had the opportunity to work on some significant projects.
Advertising as an industry is undeniably in decline. It’s highly sensitive to market trends, and we’re already seeing major agencies shut down while the overall market continues to shrink. (I recall reading that the total ad market volume dropped by around 1% in 2023.)
Yet, despite these challenges, there’s something deeply magnetic about this field. Advertising is still filled with people who don’t just love their work—they’re obsessed with it. And I think I might be one of them. While Innocean might not be my final destination, I can’t imagine a future where I’m not involved in this industry.
It’s a tough life—80-hour workweeks, sleepless nights, weekend projects, and even revising proposals on the shoulder of a highway. And after all that, the client takes all the credit while you remain in the shadows.
But then there are moments that make it all worthwhile: when you’re watching TV with your family, walking through Gangnam Station, or scrolling through reels after a 3 a.m. return home, and suddenly, there it is—the 30-second commercial you poured your heart and soul into: the catharsis is indescribable.

Could you please introduce yourself?

I’m Shinyun Jeong, the graduate of KIBS Batch 2014, currently working as an assistant manager in Settlement team of Samsung Securities. People might not know what settlement is in terms of securities. Working in settlement basically means you have to deal with payments and make quantities to the account balances in return. When dealers place stock orders in the market, we tranfer the payment through international remittance wire. With the communication of counter party, we confirm the quantity of stocks set in in the account. Which means, it always involves time oriented works, follow ups, and reconciliations.

Could you share your personal story and what studying at KIBS meant to you?

Studying in KIBS stayed a vivid memory to me. The curriculum not only gave me the basic knowledge of international business but also variety of experiences abroad. To be specific, I spent a summer in Utrecht, the Netherlands for summer school and studied about lean start-ups. During the time, I learned how actual lean start-ups work and got to participate in launching a project about fitness. Within these experiences, I was able to work as an intern at Berjaya in Malaysia. I took part in internal marketing in a department store in Kuala Lumpur and managed events throughout the store.

Is there any advice or message you would like to share with current or future students?

As a graduate of KIBS, I would like to say the great strengths of this major is the high ability of international communication and multicultural experiences. It is important to keeping up the strengths other than losing it. So please take advantage of international scholarship systems or academic interships the school provides. It will be the first step to your next career path!

Can you tell us about your career path?

My career started in the Trust team of Standard Charterd Bank Korea. I managed different financial instruments such as equity linked securities, exchange traded funds and pension trusts. The experience in managing those products helped me to take part in a new business project founding a retail business of Standard Chartered Securities Korea. Thus, I learned a lot during the project which led me to join Samsung Securities after successfully launching the business. In current, I am managing products of futures, options and collaterals.

Could you please introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is Jae Hyuk Kim (Jake Kim), and I’m a proud alumnus of KIBS, Class of 2014. I currently serve as the Global Program Lead at SkyinQ in Luxembourg, where I design and manage international programs that help Korean startups and SMEs expand into Europe and beyond. My role focuses on connecting companies with government agencies, accelerators, and local partners to create meaningful and scalable business opportunities.

Could you share your personal story and what studying at KIBS meant to you?

Studying at KIBS was more than just academic—it was formative. One of the most valuable aspects of my experience was the opportunity to work closely with classmates from all over the world. That kind of diversity exposed me early on to different ways of thinking, collaborating, and solving problems. It helped me build the global mindset and communication skills that continue to shape my career today. KIBS gave me the foundation to confidently work across cultures, sectors, and geographies.

Is there any advice or message you would like to share with current or future students?

Make the most of your time beyond the classroom—that’s where real growth happens. KIBS offers access to great people, diverse perspectives, and global opportunities. The most valuable asset you’ll take with you is the network you build, so don’t just stay within your comfort zone. Engage with people from different backgrounds, explore opportunities outside your major, and participate in experiences that challenge you. These relationships and experiences will often shape your career in ways you don’t expect.

Can you tell us about your career path?

My career has always centered around supporting startups in their global growth. I started by working with accelerators and international programs, helping Korean startups explore overseas markets and build cross-border partnerships.
That foundation led me to Shinhan Future’s Lab, the open innovation and accelerator platform of Shinhan Financial Group, where I managed global programs and helped launch overseas offices in Vietnam and Japan. There, I supported over 300 portfolio startups through scouting, demo days, and collaboration with Shinhan’s business units.
Wanting to get closer to the startup side, I joined STAR’s TECH, a climatetech company that upcycles starfish into eco-friendly de-icers and fertilizers. I led their European market expansion and supported product localization and go-to-market strategy.
Now at SkyinQ in Luxembourg, I bring all of that experience together to lead global programs that help Korean startups expand into Europe and beyond—connecting them with the right people, partners, and opportunities on the ground.

Could you please introduce yourself?

Hi, I'm a proud graduate of KIBS, class of 2021. Currently, I'm working as a recruiter at Coupang's eCommerce Recruiting Team, where I conduct recruitment for roles across marketing, sales, PM, and other functions within the eCommerce business.

Could you share your personal story and what studying at KIBS meant to you?

KIBS holds a special place in my heart. It was more than just an academic institution—it was a launchpad for personal growth and exploration. I had the chance to experience a wide range of opportunities and build lasting relationships with peers and mentors.
During my time at KIBS, I was deeply involved in student life. I served as the student council for two years as the head of the administrative team. I also took full advantage of the global programs offered:

• Freshman Year: Participated in the Global Workcamp in Mexico, helping with sea turtle conservation
• Sophomore Year: Studied Marketing during the summer semester at ESCE International Business School in France (and realized marketing wasn’t quite my thing!)
• Junior Year: Took part in the SGF program and went to the Netherlands
• Senior Year: Participated in the 베한경 program
• Bonus: Won 1st place at the International Day competition!

Is there any advice or message you would like to share with current or future students?

My biggest advice is to actively engage with the programs and opportunities offered by Kookmin University and KIBS. While participating in these programs might not directly land you a job, the proactive mindset and diverse experiences you gain will make a strong impression.
When I landed my first internship, I asked my manager why he chose me out of all the other candidates. He said my resume stood out because I had done so many things during my student days—it showed I was someone who could handle a wide range of tasks competently.
Also, the connections you build through these activities are incredibly valuable. They can lead to insights, opportunities, and support throughout your career.

Can you tell us about your career path? (본인의 career path history)

I began my career as a headhunter at Adecco, the world’s second-largest HR provider, through Kookmin University's 채용연계형 현장실습 program. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what headhunting entailed—I simply chose Adecco because it was the biggest company offering an HR-related role.
I quickly learned that headhunting was more sales-oriented than I expected, and working at an agency meant I was always recruiting for other companies. Still, it was a valuable experience. I got to meet high-level HR professionals and top-tier candidates—an uncommon opportunity for someone just starting out.
After a 3-month internship, I was converted to a full-time employee and stayed for two more years to gain deeper experience. In 2023, I joined Coupang to take the next step in my career. Here, I do more than just recruitment—I’m involved in employer branding, operational efficiency projects, and external recruitment events.
As for the future, I’m still exploring whether I want to specialize in recruiting or become a generalist in HR. One thing’s for sure: I’m eager to keep learning and growing.