1. Nice to meet you. Please briefly introduce yourself first.

Nice to you meet you. My name is Junghyun Kim, studying public administration at Konkuk University, and I was selected as one of the 14th POSCO Vision Scholarship students. Thank you for inviting me here today.

 

2. The year is coming to a close. How was 2020 like to you?

It was a very satisfactory year personally because I got good grades. I had more desire for better performance as I entered university. One of the perks of being a university student was being able to work out a class schedule by myself. Since I chose courses in the area that I was to study more, I was able to focus more and it was more fun! I enjoy asking questions to the professor and sharing opinions with classmates. I promised myself in the beginning of semester to get a 4.0 GPA or higher and I exceeded my goal, so it was worthwhile. I planned ahead for the semester, rather than let the time elapse, and I was able to spend time more efficiently.

 

3. You are one of the administrator of Vision Scholarship student meeting in Seoul. Is there a program that you want to promote in the future?

The COVID-19 pandemic seems to worsen, so we won’t be able to meet in person for a while. It may be nice to do programs like using video conferencing programs like Zoom. Also, I’m thinking about programs that can relieve Corona Blue. When COVID-19 situation calms down next year, I want to do a recreational activity together!

 

We shared program ideas for group activity in the meeting in Pohang last winter. Some ideas included overseas volunteer activity, picnic to Hangang River, and internship at the Foundation. Among them, I considered promoting a volunteer activity project with fellow Vision Scholarship students. If we can contribute our young energy to creating social values, it would be more rewarding than anything. I hope we can find ways to contribute to creating a better community.

 

4. You were recently on a popular TV program ‘You Quiz on the Block’. How did you end up on the show, and what was it like?

Did you by any chance watch a “BTS MIC Drop cover by a high school girl” on YouTube? It has reached 7 million views so far, and the girl in the video is me! The program writer reached out to me because it seemed to go well with the theme “by chance”.

 

[Video Clip]

 

I couldn’t believe that I was on the show even while shooting! It was so surreal that Yoo Jae-suk was asking me questions, and Jo Se-ho was listening to my answers. I really wanted to meet them, and they were gentle, and looked good in a suit that it felt like I was looking at avatars in a game.

 

I was so happy that I had the opportunity to tell my story to many people. My head was spinning with the concerns that ordinary people in their 20s were having, but after having so much fun talking on the show, it feels so much better these days.

 

[Video Clip]

 

5. What do you consider the most important?

After the show was aired, many people asked me how I was able to talk so well and dance on the show without feeling shy. I was glad that they saw my confidence in a positive way. I love myself. I have enough self-esteem that I sometimes set an outrageous or high goal. I think it’s important to try with confidence if it’s something that I want and enjoy. In this process, support from people around me becomes great strength. However, I think the person that is the closest to me is ‘myself’. When you believe in and support yourself, you are motivated the most. My motto is to live autonomously at my own speed and not worry about being behind others.

 

6. What would you like to tell the future Vision Scholarship students in 2021?

Is it the time for screening already? It seems like just yesterday when I was so nervous in the interview for POSCO Vision Scholarship. First, I want them to think carefully about what they want to do when they become a university student, and think about how they are going to plan the life ahead. I’m spending my time leisurely due to POSCO TJ Park Foundation’s financial support. I am so happy that I am able to study and do activities as much as I can without worrying about other concerns. I can’t wait to meet the future fellow scholarship students!