[2025] ACM CCS 2025 | Taipei, Taiwan — my first international conference presentation [English] These days, I'm writing my thesis in Korean. Sometimes, as I toggle endlessly between formulas and sentences, I get the strange feeling that my Overleaf, Hangul software, or Microsoft Word knows me better than I know myself. (They’re technically my second brain—and perhaps co-authors.) Whenever that thought crosses my mind, another follows: When did I start caring so much about the

[2022] SSG Landers Field | Incheon, South Korea — a sunny afternoon at the home stadium of the SSG Landers, filled with bold spirit and baseball energy. [English Version] One day, while I was still undecided about applying to graduate school, I reached out to a senior I had never met before. I hoped to hear some honest advice about what the road ahead might look like. We met at a small hamburger place in the basement of our university—a spot that no longer exists today. The c

[2025] Seoul Tower | Seoul, South Korea — Night view of the Han River and city skyline from Namsan [English version] Lately, the way I start my day has changed significantly. I used to wake up thinking, Another day to endure. Now, I often open my eyes with a quiet sense of anticipation, wondering, Shall I start with this today?  I’ve come to realize that being able to live while doing what I love is a much greater blessing than I once thought. Of course, my time isn’t filled

[2024] Louvre Museum | Paris, France — bright crowds gather under a crisp spring sky at the iconic glass pyramid [English version] I’ve long understood that words and actions carry weight. A single sentence, a glance, even the tone of a response can leave a lasting impression. That’s why I’ve always been mindful of how I express myself—knowing that every expression can have effects beyond what I can see. But despite that awareness, accepting myself as I am was never easy. For

[2022] Wolpo Beach | Pohang, Gyungsangbuk-do, South Korea — quiet sands and pastel skies on a still coastal evening. [English version] Recently, I’ve found that music I stumble upon by accident tends to stay with me longer than the songs I intentionally seek out. Sometimes, I hear a track from a group I’ve never heard of—the arrangement is solid, the vocals are well-matched, and something about it clicks. So I look up the song, only to find the name is still unfamiliar. In th

[2019] Geumnam Market | Geumho-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul — where old hillside homes and modern high-rises quietly coexist in a layered cityscape. [English version] I’ve recently noticed a small habit of mine: I tend to focus less on what someone does and more on their approach. It’s not about the size of the task or the rewards it brings. When I sense that someone is thinking, This is my responsibility, so I’m going to see it through, I find myself quietly drawn to them. Thei

[2023] Marina Bay Rooftop View | Singapore — where sea meets sky and stillness meets motion [English version] I hold a specific belief about karma—or work , in its deeper sense: every cause has its effect, and nothing we say or do simply disappears. Every action or word leaves a trace, which eventually finds its way back to us. That’s why, at times, I feel the need to release negative karma—to cleanse it, in a way. To look inward and reflect, with the intention of creating po

[2024] Alster Lake | Hamburg, Germany—where the city pauses to breathe [English Version] Today, I find myself feeling deeply grateful for being alive. To be able to stand on this Earth, to take in each breath of air—these seemingly simple acts remind me of how precious life truly is. There are countless forms of life in this world. Some walk with joy, others move forward with inner strength. Some lives bloom quietly, while others fade without a sound. I used to think the worl

[2025] Korea University | Seoul, South Korea [English Version] It often takes experiencing a truly difficult situation for us to pause, reflect, and genuinely seek change. Only then do we begin to see things differently—to realize how much we’ve been given and how easy it is to take it all for granted. I had to face a tough period in my life to fully appreciate just how precious a second chance can be. And I carry with me a deep, lasting gratitude for those who were endlessly

[2024] Rhine River | Düsseldorf, Germany — summer crowds along the Rhine with Rheinturm and Oberkasseler Bridge in the background [English Version] Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the quiet debts I owe to those around me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without those who supported, watched over, and stayed by me. Some debts in life aren’t financial—they’re about trust, kindness, and patience. More than academic progress, I believe it is the maturity I gain through life ex