Leadership ✨From Lemons to Lemonade. Building Bridges.
I had the true honor of being selected as one of 62 overseas Koreans from 26 countries to participate in the Future Leaders’ Conference (세계한인차세대대회), hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency (재외동포청) — a division of the Korean government.
It was a deeply meaningful opportunity to reaffirm our shared identity, strengthen global networks, and explore how Korea and its diaspora communities can grow together. 🌍🤝
Even after the conference ended, it lingered. What I felt wasn’t just happiness — it was a deep sense of connection, gratitude, and responsibility. I met incredible people from all over the world — people I never would’ve crossed paths with otherwise. Simply being in the room with them was a gift 🎁, and I felt truly privileged.
But that gift came with a realization:
✨ With experience comes influence.
✨ And with influence comes responsibility.
I started reflecting on what it means to lead — not through title or status, but through character. The more experience I gain, the more I might impact others, whether I intend to or not. That made me think deeply: true leadership is grounded in integrity. I want to live out the values I believe in — to be a leader not just in title, but in heart ❤️.
When opportunities come, I want to be someone who can hold them well — someone with the maturity and inner strength to rise to the occasion 💪.
Interacting with other inspiring leaders also made one thing clear:
Real leadership requires less ego and more humility.
It’s not about “me, me, me.” And while that mindset might feel like a sacrifice in the moment, I believe it ultimately serves everyone — including myself — better. 🙏
🎻 During the conference, I had the opportunity to perform Arirang (아리랑) and Someone Is Praying for You (누군가 널 위해 기도하네) on violin — pieces I chose in hopes of sharing something sincere with everyone in the room.
I also participated in the Society & Culture group, where we had honest discussions around identity, belonging, and impact. I was honored to present our group’s reflections using the metaphor of turning lemons into lemonade — and building bridges between worlds.
Looking back, the experience feels like a dream I’m still carrying — made all the more real by staying connected with the incredible people I met. ✨
Grateful beyond words.
Embracing my lemons — and committed to building bridges, so we can turn life’s lemons into lemonade, together. 🍋🌉
'세계한인차세대대회' 인천서 개막...26개국 60여 명 참가 / YTN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tHyJGXQRsw
더큰대한민국_모국이 주는 새로운 동기부여 '2025세계한인차세대대회'
https://www.ytn.co.kr/replay/view.php?idx=46&key=202506051657217366
'2025 세계한인차세대대회' 폐막…"글로벌사회 발전 핵심 주체"
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250530100400371?input=1195m
#OverseasKoreans #KoreanDiaspora #FutureLeaders #GlobalCommunity #Belonging #FromLemonToLemonade #BridgeBuilders #CulturalIdentity #Gratitude #HumilityInLeadership #Reflections #세계한인차세대대회 #재외동포청
