Hometown: Seoul, Korea
Age: 26
Partner: Harvey, married in December 2009
How they met: She met him in Beijing where she studied Chinese for 1 year and then worked in HR for several years after.
Arrived in Lausanne 3 weeks ago and is studying French
YN: Favorite song:
J: If I ain't got you- Alicia Keys, Do I have to sing ??? :)
YN: What did you think when you found out Harvey got accepted?
J: He didn't tell me he was applying to IMD. I was totally surprised when he told me he was accepted. We were considering mariage, but not then, because we were living in China, and we didn't get the chance to meet each other parents and family. Harvey is older than me (6 years), I'm still young and I wanted to marry him but at the time I thought in 1 or 2 years, after we settle down. But after he got accepted, we went for vacation in Sanya, an Island in the very north of China, where he proposed. He gave me a marriage ring.
YN:Where did you get married?
J: In Korea. We did a wedding ceremony in a hotel, and invited a lot of people, 500 invited, including my friends, but most of them were friends of my fathers.
YN: Marriage is different in Korea ?
J: In Korea, marriage is totally diferent from western countries. We can't just think about us. We have to think about the family. How my family will think about my husband. Usually we meet with family to introduce each other and learn about the family background, it's very important. For us, it was a really short amount of time. My parents couldn't take care of Harvey very much, because he had to fly to Switzerland.
Before the wedding, the bride's side gives some money to the groom's side, for wedding ceremonies. How much depends on the level of the family. It signifies that I have become a member of their family. It's like a present. And the groom's side buys you colthes, jewelry, -that's the most important :) - and a bag -very nice, so I chose a Louis Vuitton. My mother-in-law took me to the store and said « you can choose whatever you want ! ». Then the bride's side buys a suit and a watch for the groom. We open together all these presents during a dinner.
YN: Is it different to live in Seoul compared to Beijing?
J: If I worked in Korea, it would be really tough. Most of Koreans work very hard until very late, but in Beijing, I can enjoy my life. Work 8 hours a day, until 5:30pm, with no overtime. I have many Chinese friends. After work, I went to workout. I did Bikram yoga, swimming, and during winter snowboarding. I really enjoyed the life in Beijing, because I could have so much time for myself.
YN: Would you like to go back ?
J: If I could, yes. I speak fluent Chinese, so does my husband. The cost of living is lower than Korea. With the same amount of money, I can enjoy more. Go to fancy restaurants. And there's a lot of holidays. Over 30 days a year. Because it's a big country. It takes time for people to go back to their native home, by train or bus.
YN: And what about Lausanne ?
J: I think I can't stay here. I don't think there's a night life. The shops close very early. After school, I just go home and read books, or do housework. But I'm getting used to it. Before I came, I researched Lausanne, so I knew it was not polluted, very calm, quiet. Around 6 or 7pm, there's no one in the streets. In Korea, stores and bars are 24 hours but... there is pollution !
YN: Something you miss about China?
J: I miss Chinese food a lot... I'm like addicted to it... It's spicy and cheap... I don't cook at home because I don't have the ingredients. I don't like cooking. I prefer to go outside. My husband used to cook for me and now he says I didn't know you could cook... Surprise ! I'm really doing my best... Cooking... Cleaning... Housewife...We are not used to that ! We are not professional ... not yet ;-)
YN: How would you describe yourself in three words?
J: Humorous... But sometimes it's difficult to tell jokes in a non native language...In French and English that doesn't work... Cute... Passionate...I enjoy challenges...
YN: Your biggest challenge or desire this year:
J: Learning French and traveling. This is my first time to Europe. I've been to London for my Easter holidays. So if I can, I want to travel all of Europe, maybe for summer vacation and after graduation with my husband to Paris, Italy... I also like my PDE session. In Korea it's unusual and only for people who have mental problems. But for me it's a very interesting field. I'm really expecting to learn about myself and I want to know more about myself!
