Inside South Korea’s Social Impact

  Even now, having stepped back from my former role as a reporter to catch my breath and run this blog, I continue to stay in close touch with the changemakers and contacts I met on the frontlines of the social impact sector. They span a wide spectrum — from early-career professionals taking their very first steps in the field to mid-level managers now serving as the backbone of their organizations.   Yet, whenever I talk with them, I consistently encounter a shared yearning: a deep thirst for "study" and continuous learning. Those who are drawn to the social impact space and wish to build lasting careers here invariably voice that ongoing education is vital. To maintain genuine professionalism within South Korea's social sector, one must not only navigate rapidly shifting public policies and legal frameworks, but also constantly study methodologies to realize the social value their organizations champion. Furthermore, cultivating structural insight into the history a...

  Back when I was in school, getting into a prestigious university was considered life’s ultimate milestone. To achieve that goal, my days stretched late into the night — staying at school for mandatory self-study sessions, rushing to private cram schools (hagwons), and studying in silent cubicles at reading rooms. Once in college, preparing to enter the workforce meant another frantic race: collecting certificates, polishing credentials, and accumulating internships. From my teenage years through early adulthood, I lived under constant pressure to prove who I was and what value I could demonstrate.   From what I hear and observe today, life for the younger generation has become even more demanding. In my work reporting from the frontlines of social innovation, I have had frequent opportunities to meet young people in their twenties and thirties. They carry fresh, diverse ideas for changing society. Yet, alongside that drive, they wrestle with deep uncertainties: Is this t...

The business networking zone set up inside the Social Value Festa exhibition hall.(Photo by Milly)   South Korea’s largest social value platform, the 3rd Korea Social Value Festa, took place over two days from September 21 to 22 at COEX in Seoul. Hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KORCHAM), this flagship gathering connects policy, capital, technology, and ideas to derive tangible, actionable solutions, drawing thousands of participants to the floor each year.   I make it a point to attend the Festa every year. Each time I walk into the venue, my heart swells witnessing the palpable energy and dedication of the people filling the hall. This year was no exception. Listening to stories and seeing firsthand how changemakers fight through complex challenges in their respective fields never fails to quicken my pulse.   Visitors exploring products at the bustling marketplace booths.(Photo by Milly) Held under the banner "Beyond Thought to Action, Beyon...