Herald Media Chairman and CEO Hong Jung-wook Gives Special Lecture on Leadership On June 4th, Herald Media Chairman and CEO Hong Jung-wook made a public appearance for the first time after he withdrew from the 19th General Elections to give a special lecture to Yonsei University students at Widang Hall. He greeted the students with a broad smile and began his lecture. “It is my first time seeing young people like you ever since I became a civilian. Being here brings back memories of the walks I had around campus with my first girlfriend who was a student at Yonsei some 20 years ago.” After graduating from Apgujeong Elementary School, he attended Apgujeong Middle School until the 9th grade after which he left to the States and attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. He was 15 at the time. Hong said, “I was inspired after reading John F. Kennedy’s autobiography to spend my life serving as a respectable public official. In order to do so, I believed I had to follow in his footsteps and I left to study abroad.” Hong’s role model is former American president John F. Kennedy. “Since I was not fluent in English at the time, I memorize all the answers to expected interview questions with my mother. However, I could not come up with a single word for questions which I had not prepared for. The school suggested that I attend summer school in the area and that they will consider my acceptance if I received an A on all the courses.” He graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall having received scholarships for 2 years. After graduation, he earnestly pursed his studies in the States. He studied East Asian studies at Harvard University graduating with honors (Magna Cum Laude), and obtained his masters at Stanford Law School. He did not stop there – he tasted success earning hundreds of millions in annual salary working at an Investment Bank; but he also had his share of failures when his venture business fell through. He came back to Korea, acquired Herald Media and turned the company, which was in the red at the time, into a profitable one. At such times, he holds his mother’s words - “Go where no man has gone before and leave your footprints” – as his life motto, never hesitating to take on another adventure. When asked about what he thinks is a venturesome spirit, he picked the leading local companies in their respective fields, such as Samsung and bicycle manufacturer, Samchully. “All these companies had risks. Besides the fact that they are No.1 in their sector, they have nothing in common. What this means is that they ventured into untested waters and achieved success.” In order to cultivate this spirit of adventure, he advised the students to “seek for a challenge that is fitting” to them. He said, “Find out the purpose of your existence. Define your short to long-term aims, as well as your life goal. Last, but not least, first set short-term goals and check whether you are working towards reaching your goal and dreams.” The audience consisted of some 300 students and the general public. Many students asked questions about Hong’s view on life and challenges, and also failures. His answers were delivered in a clear and distinct voice encouraging students. After the lecture, students queued in a long line waiting to get their copies of his latest book After Act 7 Chapter 7 signed, reflecting his popularity among the younger audiences.