Where did you grow up ?
I grew up in Seoul, South Korea, but I also had the opportunity to live in various places, including the US, and Mexico.

What were your hobbies as a child ?
I was always drawn to the arts—whether playing musical instruments, painting, or crafting. Sometimes, I wonder where life would have taken me if I hadn’t chosen a path in academia.

Where did you go to University ?
I completed my undergraduate studies at Sogang University in Seoul where I studied Business, and then I moved to the US and pursued my master’s in Economics at Johns Hopkins University.

Where did you do your PhD ? 
Goethe University Frankfurt. People often ask me skeptically about living in Frankfurt, but I always tell them that it’s much nicer to live in than to visit—it has a charm that grows on you! (over time).

Who was your PhD Advisor ?
My PhD advisor was Loriana Pelizzon, who specializes in financial stability, systemic risk, risk management, and financial markets and institutions. More recently, her research has focused on technology and green finance. Her expertise spans both academic research and policy-relevant work, making her an inspiring advisor.

Any anecdote or memory from your time as PhD ?
My first year, preparing for the qualifying exams, was both an exciting and daunting memory. My PhD colleagues and I thought that passing those exams would be the toughest hurdle and that things would become easier afterward—as it turns out, we were sadly mistaken.

What is your main research focus ?
Broadly, I am very interested in understanding the impact of technology in the provision of financial services, and its impact on consumers and firms.

What research are you working on right now that you are really excited about and why ?
I’m currently studying the digitalization of banking services and how it’s reshaping financial intermediation and affecting end consumers. It’s a rapidly evolving area, and being able to analyze these changes is exciting.

What is the next research problem you plan to work on ?
Data privacy. As data becomes an increasingly valuable commodity, firms are keen on gathering as much of it as possible. This has significant implications for consumer privacy—an area that remains underexplored. The way we value privacy evolves, especially with advancements like Big Data, and AI. I want to understand how these shifts affect not just consumers but also financial institutions and businesses.

What attracted you to Switzerland, your local university and SFI ?
The strong faculty, the expansive network of SFI, and of course, the beautiful nature that Switzerland offers.

What languages do you speak ?
I speak Korean, English, Spanish, and some German, and I’m learning Italian!

What do you do in your spare time ?
I enjoy hiking, traveling, watching good movies, and looking at cute dog videos and spending quality time with loved ones.

What is your favorite holiday destination ?
Some of my favorite trips have been to Amsterdam, Berlin, and Budapest.

What is your favorite quote ?
“Don’t be humble; you are not that great.” – Golda Meir

What question do you not like getting asked and why ?
The question I do not like, but luckily do not get any more: “When are you going to finish your PhD?” Thank god, I finished!