Inside South Korea’s Social Impact

  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...

  South Korea observes two major traditional holidays each year. The first is Seollal (Lunar New Year), marking the start of the year on the first day of the first lunar month. The second is Chuseok (the Autumn Harvest Festival), celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month to give thanks for the harvest and wish for abundance. During both holidays, daily routines pause across the country as scattered families gather to exchange greetings and share homemade meals. While modern Korea is increasingly defined by nuclear households and solitary urban living, this is a meaningful moment when the collective warmth of extended families returns.   Tomorrow, September 25 (KST), is Chuseok. For the past few weeks, people across the country have been busy planning holiday itineraries, coordinating visits to parents and in-laws. In my case, both households live relatively close by and our families are small, making scheduling straightforward. But for larger extended famil...