PM-ing in Korea

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...

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...