How it all started
I’ve always loved making things for people, especially things that make them smile, nod in relief, or say “Wait… this is actually helpful.”
Back in art school, we were constantly told to present our work to bare our souls, explain our aesthetic, and show off what we liked. Honestly? That part always felt awkward to me. Expressing myself so directly never came naturally. But the moment I made something that others liked? Pure joy.
That’s when I realized: I don’t need to express myself through my work : I want to express empathy for others through design. UX became the perfect playground. I get to listen, help people navigate complexity, and build tools that quietly make their lives easier.
Me at work : just casually in a long-term relationship with the whiteboard.
How I work
(Or: why people like working with me)
I’m the type of person who asks follow-up questions… to the follow-up questions. I’ve been told I conduct interviews even on first dates (oops).
In design, this curiosity helps me dig deep and get to the root of the problem whether that’s in a user flow, a misaligned metric, or an “unspoken” stakeholder goal.
I move fast. Like, really fast. Maybe it’s just growing up in Korea, but I have this built-in urgency that makes me want to solve things right away.
When I’m working on something, I jump into the problem, do some prototyping, get early feedback, and keep refining.
I love that messy, fast, iterative process. It’s probably my favorite part of design.
I’m incredibly tuned into how others feel. Maybe a little too tuned in. But that kind of emotional sensitivity helps me notice the small and important things.
It’s what drives me to design not just for usability, but for how people feel in the moment they use a product. I believe the best experiences come from noticing what others overlook.
How I keep life interesting
I’m the kind of person who thrives in new environments. I’ve never lived in the same city for more than two years in my 20s. Seoul, Boston, Singapore, Seattle, Bay Area. It’s not a fear of commitment (I swear). I just love the energy of adapting, exploring, and starting fresh.
In my friend groups, I’m the one flooding the chat with memes and dragging everyone to the newest café in town. If there’s a trending app or an AI tool making the rounds, chances are I’ve already tested it, and convinced someone else to try it too. I’m always chasing what’s new, and that curiosity spills into both my work and everyday life.
And then there’s running. Last year, I ran three marathons. Not because I’m athletic (lol), but because I’m ridiculously persistent. When I set a goal, I go all in. Whether it’s training for 26.2 miles or solving complex problems , I’ll see it through blisters, playlists, and all.
