PM-ing in Korea

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...

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...