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Among the CEOs are young and talented individuals who took on the challenge. And they might not realize their fledgling careers can inspire those wondering what the entrepreneurs are like outside their workplaces, what they usually think about off-duty, and how their businesses will shape their lives.
Because we understand such a personal realm can mean a meaningful impact for many, The Korea Times has come to begin this relay interview series for those aspiring figures. The following interviewees are selected by their antecedents. Think of this as the "ice bucket challenge" without ice buckets. ― ED.
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Because offline classes are costly and some students cannot attend the classes for various reasons, people nowadays prefer online courses. But only less than 5 percent of the students end up completing the cyber classes, showing how difficult it is to study alone on the internet. At Studypie, we employ the merits of offline classes for our courses offered 100 percent online. We have study coaches who are experts from various professional fields and provide students with curriculums, Q&A sessions and weekly homework. They can also meet real-time online. We also reimburse (amount varies depending on course) those who complete their courses. As a result, more than 50 percent of our clients successfully finish their studies and get reimbursement. Our clients are from all over the world and so are our study coaches.
2. WHAT I DO OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
I read books, webtoons or watch movies. More recently, I began to enjoy Netflix, YouTube and Watcha (the Korean app for watching video content).
3. MEMORABLE MOVIES OR BOOKS
Movie: "About Time," "If Only"
Book: "Life Lessons" by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler, "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
My selections all taught me that our time is limited and we must be thankful for our given time and make the most of it. The movies and books always remind me to do my best at each and every moment.
4. WHAT GOT ME INTO STARTUP
I once worked as an intern for a Silicon Valley venture capital firm during my last university year. I watched many passionate entrepreneurs giving their empowering presentations, saying they will "change the world" and putting that common phrase into actual practice. In addition to the impression I got from them, I also had learned that many startup CEOs were in their early 20s. So I followed their tracks, launching my first startup in my early 20s.
5. PROSPECT FOR MY INDUSTRY
While human longevity has been continuously extended, the duration of one sticking to one job has gotten shorter and shorter. And with the growing number of new technologies, more new jobs have been created and trashed over a shorter span of time. Many adults now frequently change jobs and, in between those shifts, are urged to learn new skills. Such skills are unlikely offered by colleges or graduate schools where students learn academic knowledge that doesn't much help with on-field tasks by paying high tuition fees. So the rising demand for educational institutions to teach practical skills emerged. This practical skills learning market for adults will grow, not just in Korea but globally.
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| Kim Tae-woo operates Studypie, purportedly 'the most reliable method of studying online without dropping out,' as his laptop shows. Courtesy of Studypie |
6. UPSET AT WORK RECENTLY?
I see so many unexpected things happening as I run the company. When the employees feel frustrated or hardened, they tend to finger point at me for being responsible and I know that they are right. But whenever they are so blinded by their pessimistic ideas they criticize everything and eventually decide to leave the company, it makes me feel bad.
7. I WARN MYSELF MOST FROM...
I warn myself from no longer pulling efforts out of self-pride and neglect, so I rest inside comfort zones. My nature has always pushed me off comfort zones by making me take various challenges out of the joy it gives. One day, such nature started to fade, luring me to get inclined to the current comfort zones and stop growing professionally. I try to avoid that.
8. HARDEST MEMORY AS CEO
Businesses cannot be achieved in the short term. When frustrated, it is OK to stop and take a break for recovery. Be patient.
9. IF MY COMPANY WENT BANKRUPT
I know for certain that there are problems with the market for adults to learn. If I went bankrupt, I would not give up my company but keep it alive to come up with solutions for the industry while clearing the debts.
10. MY EPITAPH
Live like there's no tomorrow. Dreaming of never dying rests here.
Kim Tae-woo designates ZOYI Corporation Vice-President Josh Jaehong Kim
