by Hong Gyu Kim

On Tuesday morning, we had the pleasure of hosting Hong Gyu Kim, often referred to as the "father" of the popular baseball game, "MaguMagu." Now, he's the entrepreneur of LOMAD. Despite his impressive academic achievements, having attended prestigious institutions like Daeil Foreign Language High School and then completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Seoul National University, he faced challenges. At Seoul National University, he felt for the first time that he wasn't excelling academically as he used to. Instead of drowning in despair, he turned to social interactions, forming a wide range of relationships that would later serve as invaluable assets when he ventured into the world of startups. With programmer friends by his side, he tried his hand at various business ideas until they struck gold with the game "MaguMagu". This success led to a fruitful collaboration with Netmarble and ensured his longstanding place in the gaming industry. The inception of the MaguMagu game was based on a simple observation: "What do people do during their breaks?" He noticed his team members enjoyed playing baseball games. This mutual passion served as a significant motivation for developing the game. In between, as a company builder, he supported other startup teams, which rekindled his own entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to found a high-end furniture e-commerce site named "LOMAD." Listening to his journey, one could not help but feel the magnetism he exuded. His warm demeanor, genuine treatment of people, and heartfelt words deeply resonated. One of his memorable remarks was about the importance of truly and sincerely appreciating various stakeholders. He emphasized the power of authenticity in conversations, suggesting that team members shouldn't be seen just as employees, but as individual human beings. This session was a valuable lesson in the importance of treating each person with sincere respect and understanding.

No Trend But Calling

by Young Hwan Ra

On Tuesday afternoon, we were graced by Professor Young Hwan Ra from Chongshin University, who is also the representative of ‘Dream For Teens’. The session was so moving that many makers were discreetly wiping away tears. It was a first for the METES session, as it didn't conclude with a single-word recap but with a heartfelt prayer. A pivotal turning point in his life was the tragic loss of his son, which led him to find his purpose in assisting the dreams of other young people, now manifested through his non-profit venture. He expressed that humanities is not just about the transmission of knowledge or acquisition of skills; rather, it's about cultivating the ability to ask profound questions. It seemed he had a deep desire to propagate the significance of humanities in our society. Grounded in a Christian worldview, his lectures on humanities inspire youths to cultivate a genuine self-identity and craft a self-directed life with the right perspective. He has embarked on various initiatives with this goal in mind. "No Trend But Calling!" He imparted that instead of blindly following trends if we prioritize and value our unique callings, supporters and collaborators will naturally gravitate towards us. He quoted Josephine Billings, saying, "To the world, you may just be one person, but to one person, you may be the world." In what seemed like a serendipitous alignment with the previous session, the overarching message was clear: the power of authenticity and the importance of treating individuals with wholehearted sincerity. It was truly an emotional and insightful session.

'The Frame' by Soaming

Living Library by Heejin Choi

On Thursday morning, we had the Living Library session with Heejin Choi. This block is a time to introduce yourself with a book title and share your life book with others. This week, Soaming introduced the book ‘The Frame: The Wisdom of Psychology that Changes Me’ by Incheol Choi and titled it “Irreplaceable, the Most Soaming-like (Not just me but also you).” The reason for choosing this book was that she once dwelled in a metaphorical world of darkness. There were times when every day felt like a trudge through thick, overwhelming shadows. Although many people loved Soaming's sparkling curiosity, envy and jealousy often loomed large, leading to a whirlwind of gossip and speculation, given Soaming's proactive approach to life. Back then, the term "frame" might have been unknown, but by shifting perspectives, the world morphed from black and white into vibrant hues. After all, changing one's perspective can drastically alter one's view of any situation! Adopting a mindset as if one were the protagonist in a teen drama, rather than feeling trapped by circumstances, it became possible to rise above them. The book begins by stating, "A frame is the window of the mind through which we view the world." Whether it's a perspective, a mindset, or a bias, the frame you choose can dictate the outcome. By reframing, if we can achieve different results in how we perceive the world, why not continually attempt to reframe? The session transitioned into group discussions revolving around two probing questions: "Have there been turning points in your life?" and "Let's reframe how we introduce ourselves!" Moving forward, she continues to strive to break away from egocentric thinking and aims to view the world from diverse angles.

I Want to Work Until I'm 80"

by Meena Le (Kkonal)

On Thursday afternoon, we were joined by the dynamic PR expert Meena Le, also known as Kkonal, who braved the typhoon to be with us. She impressively juggles two personas: Meena, the PR expert for Rendit, and Kkonal, who is actively engaging on social media platforms. It seems she's always yearned to craft narratives of innovation. However, she emphasized that innovation doesn't happen overnight; it's an accumulation of efforts and events that eventually bring about change. While the methods of transformation might differ, she expressed a strong desire to publicize startups that aspire to make a difference, ensuring their stories of innovation are indelibly written in history. "My role," she shared, "is to document the passionate individuals who've been tirelessly working behind the scenes, long before their ventures are spotlighted in the news." Her dedication and fervor for her role in PR were palpable. Her radiant energy was infectious, and it seemed to resonate with everyone present. Overflowing with passion and vigor for her work, she expressed a wish to "work until I'm 80". Seeing someone with such authenticity and genuine love for their profession is truly beautiful. It's a poignant reminder of the splendor that arises when one pours their heart and soul into what they do. Moreover, it's noteworthy how positive energy tends to attract the same. Around her, there's a constellation of kindred spirits, individuals who radiate positivity and commitment just as she does. It makes one think: when we harbor good intentions and influence our surroundings positively, aren't we like magnets drawing in other good souls?

Looking back at the sessions held this week at METES, we learned a lot. METES continues to offer various sessions to support the growth and development of makers and help with their projects and businesses. We'll keep you updated with METES’s news every week and support your challenges and growth as a maker! Let us know if you need anything! Thank you.