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FAANG of Korea, Part 1: Meet Ne, Ka, Ra, Cou, and Bae

You’ve probably heard of FAANG — Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google — the tech giants of the West. But in Korea, there’s our own version quietly (and not so quietly) shaping the digital ecosystem. It doesn’t spell as neatly, but it has just as much presence. Welcome to the Korean FAANG : Ne (Naver), Ka (Kakao), Ra (Line), Cou (Coupang), and Bae (Baemin). Let’s take a look at how these companies started, how far they’ve come, and why they’ve become tech powerhouses in Korea. 1. NE – Naver Founded: 1999 Started as: Korea’s first homegrown search engine Now: A digital giant in search, payments, commerce, cloud, and AI Naver certainly wasn’t the first or only portal—there were Yahoo, Lycos, and Daum—but it was Knowledge iN that caught fire. The concept of “ask anything, get answers from real people” was ahead of its time, like a human-powered AI long before ChatGPT. Then came Naver Blog , which became the go-to platform for everyday information, restaura...
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Can We Ever Escape Top-Down Work in Korea?

If you're a PO, chances are… you're a little bit greedy. Not for power or credit — but for ownership. For the thrill of solving meaningful problems. That’s why top-down tasks often trigger a quiet rebellion inside us. Maybe it’s just in our nature. But when something lands on our plate from the top — with no context, no discussion — our minds immediately shift into critical mode. We analyze harder. We focus more on what could go wrong. And then we drag ourselves to the team like we’ve been sentenced to carry out a mission we didn’t sign up for.
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Pangyo Dialect (판교 사투리): The “Dialect” of Korea’s Tech Scene That Isn’t Really English

Some of the words used in the Korean tech scene aren’t quite English—and they aren’t quite Korean either. In fact, even native Korean speakers who’ve never worked in tech often say, “What are they talking about?” This quirky blend of borrowed English terms, misused phrases, and startup-specific buzzwords is fondly (and sometimes sarcastically) referred to as  Pangyo Dialect  ( 판교 사투리 ) . 1. So… what is Pangyo Dialect(판교 사투리)? Pangyo is a district in Seongnam just outside of Seoul, and home to Korea’s major tech companies— Naver, Kakao, NCSoft , and dozens of startups. It’s essentially Korea’s version of Silicon Valley . And just like how tech workers in Silicon Valley have their own lingo, Korean tech employees developed one too—only theirs sounds like English... but isn’t. These words are used so naturally and frequently , they feel like actual Korean. So if you're new to the Korean tech scene and want to “sound native,” knowing this Pangyo Dialect is practical...
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Don’t Get Fooled by K-Dramas: Korean Work Culture Isn’t What You Think

With so much Korean content making its way across the globe—from K-dramas to YouTube vlogs—interest in Korean work culture has naturally grown. And thanks to the dramatic nature of K-dramas , that culture is often portrayed in its most extreme form: yelling bosses, never-ending overtime, and forced drinking sessions. But here’s the truth: Korean office culture isn’t always like that. Yes, those things can exist—but let’s be honest: there’s a “dark side” to every workplace culture in the world. Let’s break down a few of the most common misconceptions: 1. Endless Overtime (a.k.a. “Why are you leaving when I’m still working?”) Some companies in Korea still glorify long working hours, associating it with ownership and passion . Let’s not forget— Elon Musk is a strong believer in this too. So is this uniquely Korean? Not really. The good news: Many Korean tech startups are moving away from this mindset. Flexible working hours are becoming more common Some teams ...
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Can You Really Be Happy at Work?

If a coworker ever asks, “Are you happy right now?” — maybe that’s more than just small talk. Maybe it’s a sign they respect your work. Maybe it’s their way of saying, “You deserve better.” If that’s true, maybe happiness at work isn’t just possible — maybe it’s something we earn through how we grow and how we’re seen. But let’s be honest: how many people can confidently say, “Yes, I’m happy with what I do and where I work”? And even if they say yes, how many can explain why — clearly, right then and there? Probably not many.  (Even some CEOs might struggle with that question too, to be honest.) So... does that mean workplace happiness is out of reach?
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Why Taking Leave in Korea Still Feels So Difficult

Korea has made progress when it comes to time-off policies. PTOs, maternity and paternity leaves are legally protected—and even encouraged. But in the real world? Using them still feels complicated. Especially when it comes to long-term leave like maternity , paternity , or extended personal leave. 1. First, Let’s Clarify: PTO vs. Parental Leave In Korea, PTOs (Paid Time Off) typically refer to: A day or two off for personal reasons Often viewed as acceptable, if occasional Generally easier to take—though still sometimes met with subtle pressure, when the company is going through a busy season. (but is there a place in the world where no one really cares about taking PTOs in the busiest times?) Maternity and paternity leaves , on the other hand, are: Extended leaves lasting from one month to a year Often for childcare or major life events Legal and supported in policy—but far more difficult to navigate culturally 2. Why Is Long-Term Leave So Hard...
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Korean Work Culture & the Fear of “Failure”

In my previous post on Agile in Korea , I touched on how the fear of failure plays a significant role in shaping how Agile methodologies are adopted (or actually NOT adopted) in Korean workplaces. But where does this fear of failure come from? It’s deeply ingrained in Korean culture , influenced by historical, educational, and social factors that make failure not just a personal setback, but a public event . Today, let’s break down the cultural roots of failure aversion and why this makes Agile adoption so difficult in Korean companies. 1. Cultural Aspects: The Collectivist Pressure to Succeed South Korea’s work culture is shaped by Confucian values and a highly collectivist mindset , where one’s success (or failure) is rarely just personal—it gets recognized in the team, company, family, and even social circles. Everyone who knows you will somehow eventually know. 1. Constant Communication = Constant Comparison In a tightly knit society , communication between c...
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