Connecting
Technology and Business at Olive Young
October 02, 2025, I am Hwan Kim, currently serving as CTO at CJ Olive Young’s Tech Platform Center. It’s meaningful to share my journey with fellow alumni and students of Kwangwoon University.
I lead the development and
innovation of Olive Young’s omni-channel platform, which integrates online and
offline experiences. As CTO, I oversee technology strategy, service
architecture, platform stability and scalability, and the alignment between
business objectives and technical capabilities across development, operations,
and infrastructure.
Innovation
That Creates Customer Value
For me, technological innovation isn’t simply about building new systems. Ultimately, it’s about making the customer experience more convenient and seamless. AI- and data-driven personalization, omni-channel integration, and operational efficiency are key areas I currently focus on.
My career began in the Department of Business Administration at Kwangwoon University. I originally wanted to major in MIS (Management Information Systems), but the IT industry at the time was known for being a tough environment. I dreamed of becoming someone who could bridge technology and business rather than simply a technical specialist.
However, MIS courses alone left me
wanting more, so I expanded my path by double majoring in Computer Software
Engineering. Back then, Web 2.0 and the iPhone
revolution were shaking the world. I followed societal and technological
changes closely, thinking beyond academics about what I could actually attempt.
Through various extracurricular activities and startup experience, I learned
lessons far beyond coding. It was a time when I learned firsthand how to define
problems and create solutions through technology.
Leaving
the Expected Path and Creating a New Track
Like the line “Why be normal?” from a famous ad, my attitude has always been shaped by the willingness to carve my own path rather than simply follow the one laid out by others. Beyond the school curriculum, I constantly sought new things to learn and created my own track.
Someone once said, “If everyone runs
in the same direction, it’s just a competition of rankings. But if you carve
out a different track, you can run ahead of anyone.” This philosophy remains a
core principle for me.
To
Juniors: There Is More Than One Path
IT, retail, and digital business evolve quickly—and with that speed comes endless opportunity. The talent Olive Young seeks are those who enjoy change, use data to solve problems, and create value through collaboration. Beyond technical skills, it’s crucial to maintain an open mindset and work together to solve challenges.
Innovation isn’t completed by introducing new technology alone. You must also transform legacy systems and existing processes. True innovation happens when the past, present, and future are connected. When I was in college, I often felt anxious hearing friends celebrate their acceptance into major companies. But over time, I realized there is more than one path. Experiencing the fast pace and bold spirit of startups, as well as the structure and stability of large corporations, made me who I am today.
That’s why I want to tell my
juniors: Don’t be swayed by others’ paths—choose the one where you can grow.
The path may differ, but what truly matters is how you walk it.
From
Retail to Tech — Running Toward the Future
My goal is to build a Unified Commerce Platform. This is what I hope to accomplish at Olive Young moving forward. By fully integrating global customer experiences across online and offline channels, I aim to elevate Olive Young beyond retail and establish it as a leading tech company.
Personally, I hope to pursue both performance and growth while becoming a leader who advances both technology and people. If the changes I create can establish new standards in the industry and foster a culture where the organization embraces challenge and innovation, that will be my greatest reward.
