Alumni Stories 게시판목록 | SKK GSB MBA , Sungkyunkwan University ( SKKU )

[PMBA] Daeyun Woo (PMBA 2025) – E-Mart

Daeyun Woo, an SKK GSB Professional MBA (PMBA) graduate, works as a pork merchandiser at E-Mart, one of Korea’s leading retail chains. He explains that merchandisers in major retail companies go far beyond product development and sales, overseeing the entire commercial process from sourcing and purchasing to planning, sales, and profit-and-loss management. As responsibilities evolve from operational to strategic with seniority, the role demands a broad range of knowledge and skills. Explaining his decision to pursue an MBA, he shared: “Above all, success in sales depends on understanding customers. To sell effectively, merchandisers need marketing expertise, an understanding of business strategy, and strong financial acumen. Recognizing that I needed to strengthen these capabilities led me to pursue an MBA.” Daeyun chose SKK GSB’s PMBA for its global perspective and practice-oriented approach. He noted that its case-based learning method trained him to define problems independently, to evaluate alternatives, and to make decisions, rather than simply relying on predefined answers. Reflecting on this experience, he said: “Discussing real-world business cases gradually changed my mindset. Instead of trying to find the ‘right answer,’ I learned to identify and make the best possible decision.” He also highlighted the value of learning alongside peers from diverse industries, noting that exposure to different perspectives significantly broadened his thinking beyond retail. Reflecting on his growth, Daeyun said: “The most meaningful part of the program was learning to think like a business leader. In the past, my primary goal was to create a good product. After completing the PMBA, however, I began to consider why customers choose a particular product, what kind of competitive advantage we could build, and how that advantage could contribute to the company’s profitability.” He added that this shift enabled him to build a differentiated supply structure, strengthen cost competitiveness, and improve supply stability. In terms of execution, he achieved strong results by expanding product categories both horizontally and vertically while tailoring strategies to specific markets. He also applied concepts such as game theory to competition and supplier negotiations, improving decision-making and outcomes. Summarizing the overall impact of the program, he said: “It enabled me to organize my practical experience into a systematic language of business.” He applied this approach to a project that earned him E-Mart’s Goreat Award, which recognises top-performing products based on sales, market impact, and contribution to the company. The project focused on expanding the market for Korean black pork by developing a heritage-based product and redesigning its value proposition. He explained that instead of relying on price discounts, he focused on increasing perceived customer value while simultaneously strengthening structural competitiveness. By applying the Customer Value Proposition framework, he identified price as the key purchase barrier. At the same time, he leveraged the resource-based view to build a supply chain that competitors could not easily replicate, securing both cost advantages and product quality. “The important point is that we did not simply reduce the price. I concluded that discounts alone could not create a competitive advantage. We therefore developed new sourcing regions based on the Korean heritage black pig breed and redesigned the supply structure to secure a cost advantage. This enabled us to offer a combination of price and quality that competitors would find difficult to match.” Reflecting on the project, he emphasized that its success lay not just in product development but in repositioning the category itself and designing both customer value and competitive advantage simultaneously. Sharing his advice for prospective students, Daeyun said: “The PMBA is not simply a program for earning an MBA degree. It is a process of reinterpreting practical experience from a business leader’s perspective. Working professionals accumulate a wide range of experience in their careers, but they rarely have opportunities to explain that experience systematically or turn it into a clear basis for decision-making. Through diverse frameworks and business cases, the PMBA enables students to structure their experience and develop the ability to make higher-level decisions. Discussions with classmates from different industries also naturally broaden your perspective, while the relationships you build become an invaluable professional network long after graduation. For me, the PMBA was defined less by what I learned than by how it changed the way I think.”
- 작성일 2026-07-29
- 조회수 658
[PMBA] Taehoon Kim (PMBA 2021) – SGI

For Taehoon Kim, pursuing the Professional MBA (PMBA) at SKK GSB was about building the business knowledge needed to better understand the financial and managerial aspects of his work while preparing for long-term professional growth. Taehoon currently works at the Ansan Branch of Seoul Guarantee Insurance (SGI), where he evaluates corporate guarantee applications by assessing companies’ financial conditions and their ability to fulfill contractual obligations. SGI operates guarantee insurance and credit insurance businesses. Its credit insurance services support individuals through products such as lease deposit and mobile installment guarantees, and its guarantee insurance business facilitates corporate transactions by guaranteeing contracts between companies. Taehoon decided to pursue an MBA to gain business knowledge and develop a stronger understanding of financial structures, which he believed were essential for his work at the time. Among the many MBA programs he considered, he chose SKK GSB’s Professional MBA because every course is taught entirely in English and the program has consistently been recognized as Korea’s No. 1 MBA by the Financial Times. Among the many courses in the program, one leadership class has remained especially memorable to him. "One case study examined a basketball coach who led a struggling team to winning a championship. What impressed me most was the idea that the leadership required to take a team from the bottom to the top is different from the leadership needed to sustain success," he explained. Although he is not yet in a formal leadership role, Taehoon has already applied this insight to his work. Looking back on his PMBA experience, Taehoon believes the program became a valuable opportunity for professional development. He explains that consistency was key to completing the program while working full-time. "I focused on attending each class, completing each assignment, and preparing for each exam one step at a time. Before I knew it, graduation had arrived." For professionals considering the PMBA, his advice is straightforward: "Don't feel overwhelmed. If you stay committed and follow the curriculum step by step, you'll eventually find yourself holding your diploma."
- 작성일 2026-07-10
- 조회수 1135
[PMBA] Sangjoon An (PMBA 2026) – HS Hyosung Advanced Materials

Sangjoon An is a project manager in HS Hyosung Advanced Materials’ Asia sales team responsible for steel cord. After heading the North America and Europe Export Team for their Tire Reinforcement Performance Unit, he is now a member of the company's AI Transformation Task Force, helping drive AI-driven innovation across the organization. Reflecting on his decision to pursue the Professional MBA (PMBA) at SKK GSB, he said: "Spending many years in one organization has helped me to develop a deep understanding of the products I have worked with and the business. At the same time, I felt there was a risk that my perspective would narrow and that I would become set in my ways. The pandemic and the rapid rise of AI led me to believe that I needed to reinvent myself to keep pace with the changes ahead. The PMBA at SKK GSB provided the perfect opportunity to do exactly that." Before enrolling, Sangjoon carefully considered various MBA programs. Ultimately, he chose the PMBA because he wanted to learn alongside professionals from different generations and backgrounds, exchanging ideas as peers and discovering new approaches to business challenges. Explaining this decision, he said: "What attracted me most to the PMBA was the opportunity to discuss issues with classmates from different generations and industries, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. Learning alongside talented professionals who demonstrate exceptional potential in their respective fields has been truly inspiring. Looking back, I can confidently say that my career can be divided into two distinct chapters: before the PMBA and after the PMBA." Among the many courses in the program, Sangjoon has found the finance courses particularly meaningful. Beyond the professors’ academic expertise, he appreciates the practical insights they share from their own professional experience, which have enabled him to develop a deeper and broader understanding of finance and business. "As someone working in manufacturing, where the focus is naturally centered on specific products and markets, my opportunities to exchange ideas across different industries had been relatively limited. Through the PMBA, I had the chance to learn alongside professionals of different ages and from a wide range of industries. Hearing how they approached the same business issues from completely different perspectives significantly broadened my way of thinking." Reflecting on his overall MBA experience, Sangjoon believes one of the PMBA’s greatest strengths is that it enables professionals to continue advancing their careers while pursuing graduate study. He also highlights the value of studying every course and completing every assignment in English as this helps students to develop practical communication skills that can be applied immediately in global business environments. Sangjoon concludes: "I would highly recommend the PMBA to professionals who want to broaden their perspectives without stepping away from their careers. The program brings together participants from remarkably diverse industries and age groups, creating an exceptional learning environment where professionals continuously gain new insights from one another while developing the knowledge and skills needed to navigate today's rapidly changing business landscape."
- 작성일 2026-07-06
- 조회수 1233
[PMBA] Sunyoung Yun (PMBA 2026) – Coach Korea

Sunyoung Yun leads human resources at Coach Korea as an HR business partner, overseeing a wide range of people-related tasks including compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, learning and development, performance management, organizational culture, and HR systems. Reflecting on the role of HR, she said: “When organizations set business goals and work to achieve them, people are ultimately the ones who make those goals a reality. I believe the role of HR is to support employees, create an environment where they can perform at their best, and provide strategic direction that helps both individuals and the organization succeed. What makes HR particularly meaningful is that the impact of my work extends beyond my own performance. By supporting colleagues and helping employees grow, I can contribute to creating a positive impact within the organization and, ultimately, in society.” As an HR Business Partner, she recognized the importance of understanding business operations in order to align people strategies with organizational objectives. This motivated her decision to pursue the Professional MBA at SKK GSB. Explaining this decision, she said: “The success of an HR business partner depends on understanding the business and ensuring that human resources are utilized in the most effective way. To do that, I believed it was essential to gain a broader understanding of business functions, from accounting and finance to strategy and decision-making. The MBA provided an opportunity to develop that perspective.” She also stressed the value of a global learning environment: “For professionals working in global companies such as Coach, or in any organization seeking to expand internationally, success requires more than technical expertise. Strong business communication skills, professional networks, and an understanding of different cultures are all important for continued growth in the global marketplace. SKK GSB’s PMBA offered exactly those. The opportunity to study entirely in English while learning alongside accomplished professors and experienced classmates made it the right choice for me.” Among the many courses in the program, for Sunyoung, the accounting and finance courses were particularly impactful. Although HR professionals often focus on aspects such as employee motivation, development, and organizational effectiveness, she explained that understanding business performance through financial data is equally important. “HR strategies should support business decisions, and that requires an understanding of financial performance and business metrics. Courses ranging from Business Accounting to Mergers and Acquisitions helped me strengthen my ability to interpret financial information and connect it to strategic HR decision-making.” In addition to financial courses, she found classes focusing on organizational dynamics especially valuable. “Organizations bring together people with different responsibilities, priorities, and interests. Courses such as Conflict Management and Negotiation provided practical opportunities to develop skills for managing relationships, resolving disagreements, and working effectively with diverse stakeholders.” Looking back on her career in HR, Sunyoung believes that a genuine interest in people is one of the most important qualities for success in the profession. “HR is ultimately about achieving results through people and with people. For those who have a lasting interest in helping others grow and succeed, there is tremendous potential to build a rewarding career in HR. For professionals entering the field, payroll and recruitment often provide excellent starting points. Both areas offer valuable experience and serve as important foundations for future HR leadership roles. By continuously developing skills in employee motivation, communication, and change management, individuals can grow into effective HR professionals.” Reflecting on her overall MBA experience, Sunyoung believes the program helped her successfully achieve two important goals: building a strong professional network and developing the knowledge she needed to become a more effective business partner. “One of my goals was to build relationships with future leaders across industries, while also strengthening the business knowledge needed for my role. The MBA helped me accomplish both. Many professionals considering an MBA wonder what they will gain from the experience. For those aspiring to take on greater leadership responsibilities, knowledge, practical experience, and strong professional networks are invaluable assets. An MBA provides all three, making it an excellent investment in long-term career growth.”
- 작성일 2026-06-23
- 조회수 1610
[PMBA] Christine Seulki Kim (PMBA 2026) – Seegene

“I work in both English and Korean at Seegene. Since I work in both languages, I need a business school that delivers its curriculum in English to further improve my English proficiency. As SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University is the only Korean business school that offers a fully English-taught curriculum, I chose SKK GSB.” “I work in both English and Korean at Seegene. Since I work in both languages, I need a business school that delivers its curriculum in English to further improve my English proficiency. As SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University is the only Korean business school that offers a fully English-taught curriculum, I chose SKK GSB.” Christine Seulki Kim, a Senior Manager in Corporate Strategy at Seegene, a global biotechnology company specializing in in vitro molecular diagnostics, explained one of the reasons she chose the SKK GSB Professional MBA (PMBA) program from the various MBAs in Korea: “Although I couldn't go abroad to study as a working professional, I was eager to gain substantial knowledge and insights from top-tier professors in Korea. Therefore, SKK GSB, with its top-tier faculty, was the right choice for me.” With a background in biology, she found that her role in strategic planning required her to engage with a range of business models and to develop deeper insight into marketing functions. She has already actively applied business theories and concepts from the classroom to her work, particularly in finance and management, strengthening the persuasiveness of her projects. She explains: “I was able to learn how to deal with data and precise calculations in finance classes, and through management courses, I obtained concrete frameworks that helped convince different teams to collaborate on and drive my projects to success.” Even though she needs to spend her weekends doing assignments, Christine emphasizes that she would make the same decision again, highlighting how the frameworks and skill sets she has already gained from the SKK GSB PMBA have been highly valuable in her work: “I am learning core business concepts. If it were not for the MBA, I would not have had these learning opportunities. I have half a year left on my PMBA program, and I firmly believe that my two years at SKK GSB will be fantastic.”
- 작성일 2026-04-02
- 조회수 3205
[PMBA] Hyo Bong Kim (PMBA 2024) – Bae, Kim & Lee

Hyo Bong Kim, a lawyer who previously worked at Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service and now works at Bae, Kim & Lee (bkl), is an alumna of SKK GSB’s Professional MBA (PMBA) program. During her 11 years at the Financial Supervisory Service, she contributed to the enactment of the Act on the Protection of Virtual Asset Users. She explains that her decision to study business at SKK GSB stemmed from a clear need: “I needed a strong understanding of finance to interpret and enforce financial regulations. Not having studied finance in a structured way, I felt a strong desire to study finance in depth.” The program’s 100% English‑taught curriculum and the opportunity to engage with professionals from diverse industries were key factors in her decision. She explains: “When I was at SKK GSB, every weekend I worked on team projects with my peers. Working with outstanding peers was highly motivating. Through mingling with them in various industries, I was able to broaden my perspective.” She has benefitted from a variety of classes in her PMBA: “I especially focused on finance and marketing classes at SKK GSB. When I was working at the Financial Supervisory Service, finance classes helped strengthen my professional skills. Now, at bkl, the strategies and consumer psychology I learned in the marketing classes have equipped me to become a leading lawyer,” she emphasizes. Concluding, she advises potential applicants: “I recommend the SKK GSB Professional MBA program to those who have hands‑on experience and feel the need for rigorous learning. Of course, studying at business school while working is quite demanding. After graduation, you will definitely be able to see your growth and accomplishments.”
- 작성일 2026-04-01
- 조회수 2307
[PMBA] Wooseok Jun (PMBA 2020) – Choeun Savings Bank

Wooseok Jun, an alumnus of Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB Professional MBA program, is the CEO of Choeun Savings Bank. He built a relationship with SC Lowy, the major stockholder of Choeun Savings Bank, during the M&A process when he was working as a CFO at a brokerage firm. His professional connection with Choeun Savings Bank became a turning point in his career, and he has been working there since then. Since SC Lowy is a global firm based in Hong Kong that invests in various places around the world, he began working with people of diverse nationalities. He had difficulties while working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and with different values. In the meantime, he came to know about the Professional MBA program at Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB and started a PMBA program while working. "After graduating from the MBA program, I was promoted from Executive Director to CEO. The biggest takeaway from my MBA is that I developed a global mindset, which allows me to think broadly and flexibly, beyond the limited perspective I had before," he emphasized. "In addition, I earned a dual bachelor's degree in economics and management and also obtained the American Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) qualification. After graduating from university, I have been responsible for financial management across various industries, such as accounting firm, manufacturing, and distribution industry. However, I did not know how to combine field experience and theoretical knowledge, so I struggled with a lack of insight into business," Wooseok said. "When I was a university student, I "struggled to apply theoretical knowledge in practice." While working, I have been too busy to integrate practical experience and theoretical knowledge," he added. He stated that, after gaining field experience and restarting his studies through the PMBA program, he gained valuable business insights. Even now, five years after graduation, Wooseok said that the PMBA program at SKK GSB was such a valuable learning experience that he still refers to the materials he studied. Choeun Savings Bank, where he works, is a bank specialized in corporate finance. They do not provide credit loans to individuals or sole proprietors. This bank primarily handles project financing (PF), corporate loans, and other related services. It is a financial institution that evaluates factors, including the financial feasibility of real estate development projects, and analyzes a company's cash flow and collateral value, to make investment and lending decisions. The bank has been recording profits since Wooseok took office as CEO in 2021. "The savings bank industry has been facing difficulties, continuing to incur losses since the interest rate hike in the second half of 2022. Fortunately, our bank has not recorded a loss for the past five years. I believe company culture is key. I am leveraging all the resources and capabilities of the bank to generate profit. Additionally, we have established a company culture where employees with greater responsibility and authority work harder, and we provide performance-based compensation. I believe that, thanks to this company culture, we are overcoming challenging times," he explained. Wooseok advised prospective applicants who are contemplating whether to choose the PMBA program, as well as those who are currently studying at SKK GSB, to push beyond their limits. "The SKK GSB MBA programs are conducted entirely in English, with a distinguished faculty that is passionate and highly qualified, a well-structured curriculum and learning materials, and generous support provided to students," he stated. As a result, those who put in the effort will be able to achieve what they desire," he stated. He said, "I started the PMBA program after nearly 20 years of professional experience. It was a valuable time that gave me new perspectives and insights. To those contemplating the PMBA, I would dare to advise them to push beyond their limits. I am confident that, if they have the passion to gain knowledge, experience, and insights through this program, it will be a valuable and enriching experience."
- 작성일 2025-02-17
- 조회수 151841
[PMBA] [Where are you now?] Minkyung Kim (PMBA 2024, The Fourteenth Cohort) – CJ ENM

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Professional MBA, Fourteenth Cohort: Minkyung Kim When starting her MBA at SKK GSB in 2022, Minkyung Kim was working in the project department planning cross-border e-commerce strategies at Shinsegae Group's SSG.com. She was assigned the task of analyzing the internal and external environment and closely reviewing the company's business structure to establish necessary business strategies. While working in this department, she developed an interest in strategic planning roles. She said, "In order to become an expert in the field of strategic planning, I thought I first needed to build a solid foundation in finance. While working at a major domestic enterprise, I realized I wanted to experience a global environment, which led me to choose SKK GSB, where 60% of the faculty come from diverse backgrounds and all classes are taught in English." Minkyung, who studied intensely with her peers over the past two years, said that the "Financial Risk Management" class by former Dean Jae Ha Lee was the most memorable. She said, "Among all the finance courses, it was one of the most challenging, and it wasn't easy until the very end. However, after completing the course, I was able to discover a stronger version of myself." Minkyung stated that interacting with professors of various nationalities and peers working at international companies allowed her to acquire global communication skills, which is one of the assets she gained at SKK GSB. She added, "Since last year, as a side project, I have created an international platform to connect senior and junior leaderships from Europe and Korea. The global communication skills and mindset I gained at SKK GSB have been a great help." Minkyung also mentioned that by witnessing the passion of her peers who balance work, family, and studies in the MBA program, she realized that 'there is no such thing as too late to start what I want.' In her 30s, she gained the courage to live the future in her 40s and even 50s with more leadership and confidence. It was a time when the job market was in a frozen state, but by the time she reached her second year of the MBA program, she began receiving interview offers from global companies and major domestic enterprises. Minkyung chose CJ ENM, which she felt was the best fit for her, and is currently a member of the strategy planning team in the commerce division, based on TV home shopping and mobile e-commerce, just as she had hoped. She explained her current role by saying, "I publish reports by analyzing the trends and data in the retail market. I need to accurately and quickly extract the information my team members need and combine it with internal data indicators to assess the competitiveness of the business." She is also supporting the development of global expansion strategies by leveraging her past experience working on projects with global e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Rakuten. Minkyung, who says that being a business leader seems to imply that one can become someone who has a bigger and wider social impact than a doctor, or even a politician, at times, dreams of growing into a leader with both global competence and expertise.
- 작성일 2024-11-13
- 조회수 150945
[PMBA] [Where are you now?] Yoon Mou Lee (PMBA 2023, The Eleventh Cohort) – KRAFTON Inc.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Professional MBA, Eleventh Cohort: Yoon Mou Lee Yoon Mou Lee, who graduated from Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB in 2023, is currently working at Krafton, the company famous for the global game 'PUBG: Battlegrounds,' as the Creative Project Management Part Lead in the Creative Strategy & Operation Department of the Global Creative Division. He majored in Film in college and began his career as a producer. While producing independent films, he developed an interest in branding, strategy, and planning, which led him to venture into the advertising industry. His growing passion for marketing and business eventually inspired him to join the Professional MBA program at SKK GSB. Yoon Mou said, "I moved to a global marketing and PR agency, where I took on two roles: Account Executive (AE) and Project Manager (PM). With a background in video production, taking on the roles of AE and PM at an agency was a new experience for me, which brought some pressure. However, I was able to adapt quickly, drawing on the knowledge I gained from my MBA." As he was nearing his MBA graduation, Yoon Mou received a job offer from his current company, and after several rounds of interviews over a few months, he changed jobs. Yoon Mou, who worked in video production before starting his MBA, became a team lead responsible for advertising and promotional materials, online and offline content, and more at a global game company with renowned intellectual properties (IPs) after completing his MBA. He reflected on his MBA experience, saying, "Since I had only taken film-related classes in college, I needed to put in several times more effort than others when I first started my MBA. Basic knowledge that was familiar to my peers felt unfamiliar to me. Fortunately, my fellow students kindly helped me, and thanks to their, I was able to adapt quickly to MBA life. Yoon Mou said that he was able to grow through the SKK GSB's Professional MBA program, where he learned not only the theory but also how to apply it in practice, and through the experience of collaborating with peers working in various industries." He emphasized, "In particular, the network I built during the MBA program has become a crucial asset for my career and personal growth. By continuously communicating with peers who possess expertise, I have improved my ability to solve problems from various perspectives, which has been a great help in practice." He advised the SKK GSB students, "SKK GSB has two major strengths: the opportunity to take classes from outstanding faculty and the ability to expand your network with peers who possess expertise. The network formed with professors, peers, and alumni is an important resource that will provide future opportunities. I hope you actively engage in networking during your MBA and make the most of it."
- 작성일 2024-11-11
- 조회수 150201
[PMBA] [Where are you now?] Wontai Choi (PMBA 2020, The Fifth Cohort) – KPMG

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Professional MBA, Fifth Cohort: Wontai Choi Wontai Choi, who graduated from Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB in 2020, was responsible for finance at AB InBev, the world's largest beer company. After accumulating over three years of experience in the finance field, he made a serious decision to pursue an MBA program as he contemplated his career. Wontai said, "Since I completed my undergraduate studies at Indiana University in the United States, I considered starting my MBA program abroad as well. However, I chose the SKK GSB Professional MBA program because I could earn a dual degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and, most importantly, complete my MBA without any gaps in my career." He developed an interest in investment consulting while taking various classes at SKK GSB. After graduating from SKK GSB, he gained experience in investment at Cheil Worldwide, a firm under Samsung Group, and he is currently providing financial advisory services to companies across various industries at KPMG Korea's Financial Advisory Division (Deal Advisory). Wontai explained, "I provide comprehensive advisory services during mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including the valuation of target companies, acquisition strategies, and the negotiation process when companies seek to enter new markets or strengthen their competitiveness. Additionally, I conduct feasibility studies to analyze the likelihood of success for new projects or business ideas in the market, as well as provide advisory services for attracting investment by connecting high-potential companies with investors." He stated, "Having completed my undergraduate studies at a university abroad, I had a very limited personal network in Korea. However, through SKK GSB, I was able to significantly expand my network. I gain valuable information and insights about market trends through fellow students working in major companies, which I apply in my work. The community at SKK GSB has become a great asset to me."
- 작성일 2024-11-06
- 조회수 3448

Student & Alumni Stories