Stanford, Army, Startup: Three Turning Points That Shaped Me
From Stanford to Korean army, and now an AI startup, the last five years in my early 20s have been anything but a straight line.
During this presentation, I'll candidly share the ups, downs, and unexpected lessons from three turning points that changed how I see myself and the world. Across these three chapters, I began to question whether doing well meant I was actually growing, whether the limits I saw were real or simply unfamiliar territory, and whether I needed to feel ready before taking a first step. I’ll share how those questions changed the way I approach my life, and how recognizing the luck and people behind my opportunities led me to ask what I want to do with them.
Along the way, I'll touch on duck syndrome and the feeling that everyone else has life figured out while you're still finding your footing. I'll reflect on how that comparison shaped what I believed was possible for myself, and how new people and experiences helped me question those assumptions.
I'll close with what changed when I stopped waiting to feel qualified and became more willing to try, risk getting things wrong, and learn as I went.
How should the session run?
Presentation
Preferred language
English
Who is this for?
Students, early-career professionals, and aspiring or early founders who have worked hard toward clear milestones but feel uncertain about what comes next. Especially those who compare themselves with their peers, feel unprepared for unfamiliar opportunities, or are beginning to define a direction of their own.
Why can the host lead this?
I’ve been fortunate enough to experience very different worlds, from an international school in Korea to Stanford, Korean military service, and now building an AI startup as a co-founder of Playad, an AI agent that runs paid marketing for brands. We recently raised $5.4 million from Mirae Asset and BlueRun Ventures, and 10,000 brands have signed up since our launch in June. Each environment challenged how I saw myself and what I believed was possible. I can share an honest, personal perspective on feeling behind, questioning the limits I had placed on myself, and learning to take risks before feeling fully prepared. These lessons were shaped by the people I met and the experiences we shared along the
What will you take away?
Through my story, participants will be invited to reflect on three questions: Am I working toward something I actually want? Have I mistaken what is unfamiliar for what is beyond my ability? And what could I try before I feel fully ready? I'll share a personal perspective on finding direction beyond familiar milestones, expanding our sense of possibility through new people and environments, and taking risks despite uncertainty. I hope participants leave more willing to ask a question, pursue an unfamiliar opportunity, or take a first step that carries the possibility of getting things wrong.
