PM-ing in Korea

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...

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.

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...

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...

Agile methodologies promise flexibility, speed, and adaptability , but how well do they actually work in Korea’s unique corporate culture? Korean work environments are built on hierarchical structures, top-down decision-making, and a deep respect for authority —all of which often clash with Agile’s core principles of self-organization and continuous iteration . I do not speak for every single company in Korea, but I am certain that most of them are like this. In this post, I’ll break down what Agile actually looks like in Korea , how traditional work culture affects its adoption , and what happens when Agile meets hierarchy . 1. Hierarchy vs. Agile Decision-Making Agile emphasizes: Decentralized decision-making Cross-functional teams that self-organize Rapid iteration & continuous learning Korean corporate culture emphasizes: Top-down decision-making Approval required at every step Executives making final calls on product direction Re...

Toss: The Trendsetter Shaping Korea’s Tech Landscape In Korea’s fast-moving tech ecosystem, Toss has become a company that sets the standard. From its pioneering approach to product management to its unique UX writing philosophy , Toss has influenced how many Korean companies operate. But what makes Toss stand out isn’t just its financial services—it’s the way the company builds products, manages teams, and scales its business . Let’s break down how Toss is reshaping Korea’s tech industry . The Visionary Leadership of Lee Seung-gun At the center of Toss’s success is Lee Seung-gun , founder and CEO of Viva Republica (Toss’s parent company). His story is one of persistence and bold innovation . Before Toss, Lee experienced eight startup failures over six years before finally launching his ninth business idea , which became Korea’s first successful peer-to-peer money transfer service . A Global Vision for Toss As of February 2025 , Toss is aiming for foreign nationals ...

Data plays a crucial role in how tech companies in Korea operate, whether it's for tracking user engagement, product performance, or business growth . But the tools companies use? That depends on their size, resources, and specific needs. In this post, we’ll break down the most commonly used data analysis tools in Korean tech, from widely adopted industry standards to newcomers gaining traction. Widely Adopted Tools These are the go-to data tools for almost all companies, especially because they are cost-effective, flexible, and essential for product teams . 🔹 Google Analytics A free web analytics tool that tracks website traffic, user behavior, and product performance. 📌 Why is it popular? It’s free and still provides pretty solid data on key product stats. Almost every company, even non-tech teams , uses it. 🔹 SQL & Python While not a service or product , SQL and Python are fundamental tools used to query databases and analyze data direc...

When it comes to product design in Korea, one tool dominates the scene: Figma. While some teams still use Adobe XD or other alternatives, the industry is shifting toward tools that offer seamless collaboration, prototyping, and design workflows . But there’s a new player in town— Framer . In this post, we’ll break down the most commonly used product design tools in Korea, the emerging trends, and how product teams are adapting. Figma: The Industry Standard If you’re working in a Korean tech company, there’s a 90% chance your team is using Figma. Why? ✅ Cloud-based collaboration – No more file versioning nightmares ✅ Real-time co-editing – Designers, PMs, and engineers can work together ✅ Built-in prototyping – Many teams now use Figma for both UI/UX design and prototyping Figma has become the go-to tool for design teams looking for speed, flexibility, and team collaboration . 💡 Check out Figma here . Adobe XD: Slowly Fading Out At one point...

The Essential Communication & Project Management Tools Used in Korean Tech Companies In South Korea's fast-paced tech industry , smooth communication and efficient project management are critical. Whether it's a startup or a tech giant like Naver or Kakao , companies rely on a mix of global and homegrown tools to keep their teams aligned. In this post, we'll break down the most widely used collaboration tools in Korean tech companies—specifically those for communication and project management . 📌 In the next post, we’ll explore the design tools used in Korean tech, including those preferred by UI/UX designers and product teams. Commonly Used Communication & Project Management Tools in Korea While global tech companies and startups often gravitate toward widely recognized tools , Korean firms also adopt localized solutions tailored to their corporate culture and workflows . 🔹 Most Widely Used Collaboration Tools in Korean Tech Companies Slac...

The once-blurred lines between these roles are slowly becoming clearer. In Korea’s tech industry , job titles like Service Planner (서비스 기획자), Product Manager (PM), and Product Owner (PO) are often used interchangeably . This has created confusion—not just for job seekers but also for companies struggling to define these roles properly. But things are changing.  Some PMs are still limited to service planner roles , while some service planners are taking on PO-level responsibilities without the right compensation. But more tech companies are now distinguishing these positions , bringing structure to an industry that has long operated in ambiguity. So, what’s causing this shift? Let’s break it down. The Current State of Confusion Many Korean companies still don’t fully separate these roles , leading to job descriptions that mix responsibilities across all three positions. It’s common to see: A company hiring a "Product Owner" but expecting them to do Produc...

Service Planner, Product Manager, Product Owner: Different  Yet Similar  Roles If you’re working in Korea’s IT industry , you’ve probably come across three commonly used job titles: ✅ Service Planner (서비스 기획자) ✅ Product Manager (PM) ✅ Product Owner (PO) At first glance, these roles seem similar. They all involve product development, user needs, and decision-making . But in reality, each has unique responsibilities—and in Korea, these roles often function differently than they do in other countries. Today, I want to break down: What makes the Service Planner role unique to Korea How PM and PO roles differ globally vs. in Korea What these three roles have in common The Uniqueness of ‘Service Planner’ in Korea 💡 Is there an exact translation for ‘Service Planner’ in English? Not really. The Service Planner role evolved specifically within the Korean IT industry , and there isn’t a direct equivalent in Western markets like the US. Historically, ...