Kim Ju-Eun
Editor-in-Chief 

In this issue Review introduces an enthusiastic leader, Lee Kye-Ik, who is the Chief Executive Officer at DreamBean, an IT venture company in Korea. He is currently working as the President at Korea’s Young CEO Club and also is the youngest elected president at the Young Leader’s Club. He has been on TV shows and has held academic lectures about business establishment in other universities. Lee Kye-Ik started his own business single handedly when he was in his early 20s, but lost everything. However, he did not give up. He fought against all odds and overcame the hardships with patience. After conquering himself, (what do you mean? ... After conquering his past…) Lee Kye-Ik started a new business with his friends. Considering “love” to be an undefeatable business item in the fast-changing market, he launched a social dating service called “Maumsee”, and it took first place in an iPhone App Store as soon as it was released. As an enthusiastic leader, Lee Kye-Ik regularly attends governmental meetings as a representative of Korean youngsters in the business market. The following is an edited transcript of the interview. For more on Lee Kye-Ik, go to his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/cake301kk

What does it take to become a CEO?

You should be able to admit your mistakes. Communication is important in running a business. However, ‘communication’ does not only mean talking or listening to one another. Admitting one’s mistakes and considering someone else’s opinion are more important because these are the start of understanding each other. Moreover, I could get through the hard time because I had “my people” around me. To establish a business, ‘doing it with who’ is more important than ‘doing what’. It is that hard to do something in the real world. If you have great people, you already have the greatest asset of all. A successful person, in my opinion, is the one who can cooperate with others rather than competing with them. Have your eyes ready for finding these special people.

What is the Young CEO Club?

The Young CEO Club is a Non-Profit Organization that was established for building a network among young CEOs or soon-to-be CEOs in Korea. There are now 50 venture companies or ‘start-ups’ registered in the club. With 10 professional consultants, the club holds various activities to encourage the club members to establish networks. Normally, we hold mentoring parties so the club members can meet influential people from other industries and share valuable information. If you have time or if you are interested in joining the Young CEO Club, come on and join us. You will have fun with us.

How Do You Keep Good Relationships With So Many People?

Respect Everyone Do not underestimate anybody. You do not know what that person will become in the future. Everyone has his or her own value.

Always Be Kind to Everyone Your good deeds will bring answers to you when you are in trouble. People will reach out their hands whenever you need them.

Pay for Your Meal, Pay for Others’ Meals Do not expect your friends or acquaintances to pay for your meals. If someone buys you a meal, do not take it for granted.

Say Thank You If You Are Thankful; Say Sorry If You Are Sorry Your mouth is for talking. Unless you say “Thank you” to the person you are thankful for, he or she will not know you are thankful. People these days are busy. They do not have time to read your mind, so go ahead and speak your mind to your loved ones.

If You Are to Help Someone, Put All Your Effort Do not attach any condition when you help someone. You will only hear complaints after you help that person.

Do Not Gossip If you have time for gossip, use that time for working out. Do not waste your time.

Donate Even a Small Amount You will feel good about yourself after donating money, and that will make your face shine. People will recognize you as a happy person.

Take Care of Your Old Friends Do not think little of your old friends while building new relationships with people. Your old friends are the greatest assets you can have at your age.

Talk to Yourself Be alone and have a time to talk to yourself at least for one hour every week.

Seize the Day This moment is the best memory in your life.

Manage Yourself Rather Than Managing Your Relationships Swans do not swim with ducks. If you want to swim with swans, make yourself into a swan first.

Relationships Start from a Truthful Mind When all is said and done, managing relationships with people starts from a truthful mind. If you treat people truthfully, they will become “your people.” That is the best way to start.

Do you have any advice for students who want to become CEOs?
Before you choose to become a CEO, I want you to take time and make a careful decision. It took me almost 7 years to find out what I wanted to do. I wanted to pursue a career in which I could devote my time and make myself useful. If you follow the path that somebody else has created, you will easily get lost. Opening your own business is a process of finding the “real you”, and it requires the ability and passion to take care of your people, your employees, and take the pressure as well as responsibility. Moreover, it is really hard to find those who will become “your people”. I think the most important thing to become a CEO is that you have to be well prepared for the market. In this fiercely competitive market, everything changes so fast and it is only a matter of time before you will either succeed or fail. Always be passionate and have faith in yourself. That will help you establish a fresh value in the market and work with pride. Remember, if you are not happy when you are preparing to open your own business, it probably means that you are not suited for that job or position. Working with joy is fundamental in becoming a successful CEO. I personally think having hands-on experience from internships or prior jobs will help you have more opportunities to succeed. You should know that preparation only makes you perfect. However, you have to listen to yourself first. Ask yourself if you are really ready, and if you are ready to roll, I am sure that will be the time when you need to stand up and prove your ability as a CEO.

As an influential creative art director, Lee Kye-Ik wants to find the meaning of “we”. He will continue to make the world where love matters the most. “People are the greatest assets you possess. Love them truthfully.” That was the last comment he offered to Kookminans.

20113412@kookmin.ac.kr