🇰🇷🤖 Korea’s AI Rising: From Coffee Conversations to Global Competition

I actively incorporate ChatGPT—nicknamed “CoffeeGenie”—into my coffee research and business practice. From helping with academic thinking to strategic insights, it’s become a valuable partner in my daily work. Recently, Sapiens author Yuval Noah Harari visited Korea and delivered a lecture on the present and future of AI, quietly sparking reflection across Korean society. CoffeeGenie and…… Continue reading 🇰🇷🤖 Korea’s AI Rising: From Coffee Conversations to Global Competition

Bridging Traditions and Trends: Thoughts from the Asian Coffee Road

I recently received a thoughtful comment on my LinkedIn post about my move to Tokyo and the Asian Coffee Road project. It sparked such a meaningful reflection that I wanted to share my response here with you as well. The comment asked: “How do you envision bridging traditional coffee narratives with modern consumption trends in…… Continue reading Bridging Traditions and Trends: Thoughts from the Asian Coffee Road

🇰🇷🇯🇵☕️A New Chapter Begins: From Korea to Tokyo, with Coffee and Curiosity

I have some news to share today. In a broader sense, it’s a turning point in my life. In a lighter sense, it’s just another round of packing. I’ll soon be wrapping up my life in Korea and relocating to Tokyo, Japan. These days, I’m spending my time between boxes and items to be donated…… Continue reading 🇰🇷🇯🇵☕️A New Chapter Begins: From Korea to Tokyo, with Coffee and Curiosity

How a Winter Festival in Korea Led Me to Ethiopian Coffee Tourism

I pursued my master’s degree in sociology at Hitotsubashi University in Japan and later earned my PhD in geography from the University of Exeter in the UK, focusing on Ethiopian coffee tourism. Many people ask me how I began this research. Today, I want to share that story. I have always been drawn to projects…… Continue reading How a Winter Festival in Korea Led Me to Ethiopian Coffee Tourism

Friends, let me tell you something.

I studied philosophy for four years in university. In the Korean job market, it was — and still is — one of the least popular majors. But looking back now, being able to study philosophy in depth was one of the greatest blessings of my life. Thanks to that foundation, I was able to build…… Continue reading Friends, let me tell you something.

A Tribute to Paul Cloke: My Guide on the Journey Through Academia and Beyond

Life often presents us with choices that shape who we become. I’ve always believed that once a decision is made, it’s best not to dwell on regret but to focus on making it work. If things don’t turn out as expected, you can always begin again. This mindset guided me when I chose to restart…… Continue reading A Tribute to Paul Cloke: My Guide on the Journey Through Academia and Beyond

How My Unexpected PhD Journey in the UK Led to a Scone Debate

(Originally written in Korean on Brunch in November 2020, now reworked for an international audience.) An Unplanned Journey to the UK I never expected to study in the UK. My original plan was to complete my Master’s degree in Japan and continue research there. But life had other plans. One day, I received an unexpected…… Continue reading How My Unexpected PhD Journey in the UK Led to a Scone Debate

A Coffee Tour Without Coffee

For someone who loves coffee, enjoying a cup of specialty coffee during a trip is a small but delightful pleasure. So on that day, I set out to visit a cafe I had found online while traveling in Yeosu. After walking more than 20,000 steps, I was exhausted, and a good cup of coffee felt…… Continue reading A Coffee Tour Without Coffee

5 Days as a YouTuber: How an Introvert Manages a Channel

I’ve heard that as you get older, embarrassment fades away. Lately, I’ve found that to be surprisingly true. Being an introvert with a touch of perfectionism, I’ve spent much of my life mastering the art of procrastination. If something didn’t go well, I’d just drop it—no one else needed to know, just the sky and…… Continue reading 5 Days as a YouTuber: How an Introvert Manages a Channel