Selena Seoyoung Kim


Cultural-strategic partner to institutions, brands, and artists



I was born and raised in Korea, and trained in visual studies and systems thinking in the United States. That foundation shaped how I approach culture. Not only as expression, but also as something that structures behavior, value, and decision-making.

From 2019 to early 2025, I lived and worked in Berlin. There, I led and collaborated on customer research-driven projects across European markets, while expanding my exposure to experimental practices and cross-disciplinary teams.

Today, my work sits between strategy and making. I’m 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 and cultural context.

I’m most interested in long-term value, credible outcomes, and collaborations built on trust rather than visibility.


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

Experience & Creative

The Sun Room

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

DezeenBriqueIpche


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 (Nov 26 - Dec 5), 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
Venue: Mirae Building of Low Classic @miraebuilding


Installation View: Photo by Yongjoon Choi
Pul Series by Nara Lee: Photo by Yongjoon Choi
Aklyphs: Photo by Yongjoon Choi
Installation View: Photo by Yongjoon Choi
Opening Performance by Yun: Photo by Namuk Kim
Opening Reception: Photo by Namuk Kim
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
selena@journi.city



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.

    Inquiries
    seoyoung.kim@sketched.space

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

    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


    Selena Seoyoung Kim