Selena Seoyoung Kim


Cultural-strategic partner to institutions, brands, and artists



I was born and raised in Korea, then studied visual arts and the built environment in the United States. That foundation shapes how I approach culture, not only as expression, but as something that structures behavior, value, and decision-making within organizations and products.

From 2019 to early 2025, I lived and worked in Berlin. There, I led and collaborated on research-driven projects across European markets, working closely with cross-disciplinary teams in fashion, technology, and consumer-facing businesses.

Today, my work sits between strategy and making. I am often brought in early, when direction is still open, partners are not yet aligned, and judgment matters more than speed. I work across brand strategy, partnerships, and experience-led initiatives, grounding decisions in research, cultural context, and real-world constraints.


Background & Signals
  • Harvard University, B.A. in Visual and Environmental Studies
  • Former User Research Team Lead, Zalando SE, Berlin
  • Experience across Korea, the United States, and Europe
  • Work spanning technology companies, cultural institutions, and international programs


Selected Works

Experience & Creative
The Sun Room
A Piece of Korea

Brand Strategy & Partnership
Sketched
UX ResearchInsight-Led Product Work

Ways to Engage

Contact
Email
Instagram
Linkedin

01 Experience & Creative

The Sun Room

Role: Creative Producer
Type: Multidisciplinary Exhibition
On View: 22. Nov - 7. Dec, 2025 at Mirae Building, Seoul
Press

DezeenMonthly DesignIpche


The Sun Room was a multidisciplinary exhibition exploring the meaning of reconstituted nature in the urban environment. As creative producer, I translated the core concept into text, assembled the creative team, supported curation and installation, and led the project through public presentation.

The work reflects how I approach cultural production: clear intent, strong collaborators, and responsibility for the full outcome.

Impact Highlight
  • Verified Reach of 7-Figure Audience: The integrated campaign generated a confirmed, estimated reach of over 1,000,000 unique followers/circulations across major outlets and key individual influencers.
  • High Momentum: Coverage was consistently published over a period of 10+ days, showing the exhibition maintained media relevance long after the opening.

Artwork Inquiries
contact@e-e-l.com

Artist: Nara Lee @eel.nara
Light: Aklyphs @aklyphs
Performance: Hyun Soo Yun @floweryoungster
Videography: Jiyong Kim
Photography: Yongjoon Choi, Namuk Kim
Venue: Mirae Building of Low Classic @miraebuilding


Installation View
Pul Series by Nara Lee
Aklyphs
Installation View
Performance by Hyun Soo Yun
Opening Reception 22.Nov 2025
A Piece of Korea

Role: CEO
Type: High-end Destination Management
2026 - Present
Past Clients

Wharton
Harvard Business School
YPO



A Piece of Korea (formerly Journicity) is a high-end destination management initiative designed for top MBA programs and executive groups visiting Korea. I curate and lead programs that introduce Korean culture and industry with depth and context, balancing creative perspective with institutional and operational expectations.

The work focuses on cultural translation for future global leaders, shaping experiences that are thoughtful, coherent, and aligned with educational goals.

Inquiries
hello@journi.city



02 Brand Strategy & Partnership

Sketched

Role: Founding Member / Creative Tech
Type: Creative Agency
2017 - 2019, 2024 - Present


Sketched is a strategic platform I co-founded to help organizations clarify what they stand for and how they should show up, particularly when their brand needs to evolve. My role focuses on defining direction, shaping narratives, and structuring partnerships that are credible and sustainable.

Recent work includes developing brand strategy for a major Korean technology company, and shaping partnership narratives for a leading art institution in Korea as it expands its audience engagement.

Learn More
www.sketched.space


    Petra Cortright’s Public Art Installation at Doota, Seoul, Korea 
    Akinola Davies Jr., Heroes of Displacement at Washington Underground, U.S.A.

    03 UX Research


    Insight-Led Product Work in Fashion & Beauty

    Role: User Research Team Lead
    Type: Full-time corporate
    2019 - 2023
    Project Example

    Medium


    Before my current work, I spent several years leading user experience research in Europe, focused on fashion and beauty products used at scale. This included research programs behind personalized styling experiences and visual fit tools, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to inform product and brand decisions.

    This research background continues to shape how I work today, grounding strategy and experience in evidence rather than assumption.

    Previous Experience
    User Research Team Lead at Zalando SE, Germany
    Experience Designer at Intersection Co., U.S.
    UXUI Intern at Naver Corporation, Korea 

    Zalando SE, Berlin, Germany
    UX Insight Conference, Netherlands



    Ways to Engage

    Panels, Talks & Public Conversations
    Appearances as a panelist or speaker in public forums addressing Korean market insights, and the role of art and culture in institutional and commercial contexts.

    Upcoming 
    Insight Session for Chanel Korea (March 2026) 
    Past
    Webinar “The New Wave of Korean Youth Culture”
    Creative Media Panelist
    Hosted by Inner Chapter (May 2025)

    UX Insight Conference, Netherlands 
    “How We Work with Stakeholders”
    User Research Panelist (April 2021)


    Writing & Editorial Features

    Writing or editorial contributions that contextualize artists, cultural projects, or partnerships I’ve been directly involved in. This includes essays, interviews, and commissioned writing for publications or institutions seeking a practitioner’s perspective.

    Curatorial Statement for The Sun Room (November 2025)Artist Introduction for Yeon Park, Artists in Korea @artistsinkorea (January 2024)

    Please direct all inquiries to
    selenaskim@gmail.com
    @selena.rla



    Selena Seoyoung Kim