Gayago Alumni Mentor Group Continues 'Love for Alma Mater' with Special Lecture by Kim Danha, CEO of Danhajudan

Seoul Area University Freshmen Mentor-Mentee Pairing Ceremony and Scholarship Awards, etc.

The Gayago Alumni Mentor Group in Busan (led by Kim Changryong) and the BNB Scholarship Foundation (chaired by Koo Kyungyeol) continue to provide heartfelt support for their juniors.

The Gayago Alumni Mentor Group supports three career special lectures by alumni each semester at their alma mater. On the 27th of last month, a special lecture was held in the Gayago auditorium by Hanbok designer Kim Danha, CEO of Danha Judan.

Kim Danha gained international fame after Blackpink wore her hanbok designs in a music video.

Danha Kim, CEO of Danhajudan, is visiting her alma mater Gaya High School to give a special lecture.

In her lecture, Kim Danha shared her experiences of wisely overcoming her tumultuous teenage and twenties years under the theme "Korean Heritage Shining on the Global Stage," and offered sincere advice to juniors on how to find and develop their career paths and dreams.

On the 17th of last month, the Gayago Alumni Mentor Group held a mentor-mentee matching ceremony at the Korea Press Center in Seoul for nine freshmen (70th class) who graduated from Gayago this year and entered universities in the Seoul area.

The nine freshmen mentees included Kim Minjun (Hongik University, School of Law), Kim Yubin (Kookmin University, Department of Performing Arts), Park Sejeong (Sookmyung Women's University, Department of Child Welfare), An Minkyoung (Korea University, Department of Economics), Lee Dongjun (Kyung Hee University, Department of History), Lee Sunwoo (Ewha Womans University, Department of Nursing), Lee Wonji (Hongik University, Department of Woodworking and Furniture Design), Jung Dain (Sungshin Women's University, Department of Japanese Language and Culture), and Hong Yeyoung (Ewha Womans University, Department of Computer Engineering).

The mentors supporting the juniors are Park Hyunseok (Hongik University, School of Law, 29th class), Lee Kihun (CEO of CM Networks, 37th class), Byun Gayoung (Meteorological Forecaster at Korea Meteorological Administration, 53rd class), Yoo Dongjoo (Professor, Korea University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 54th class), Kim Kiyong (Director, Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, 27th class), Koo Minji (Clinical Psychologist, Baekje Hospital, 53rd class), Kim Danha (CEO of Danha Judan, 55th class), Yoon Jihyang (Announcer, 48th class), and Yoo Donghun (CTO, Liwoo Co., Ltd., 52nd class).

The nine freshmen who participated in the event were selected as BNB Scholarship Foundation scholars and each received a scholarship certificate and a grant of 1 million KRW.

Kim Changryong, head of the Gayago Alumni Mentor Group (29th class), said, "Congratulations and welcome to the 70th class of Gayago juniors for entering universities in Seoul. Even if the mentor group is lacking in its early days, as our experience, wisdom, and shared time accumulate, a vast and deep network of trust and cooperation among alumni will be formed, just like the sea."

Principal Park Hyungjun of Gayago said in his congratulatory speech, "Unlike other organizations that boast of 30,000 alumni but remain empty, the Gayago Alumni Mentor Group truly practices love for its alma mater by providing information and opportunities to current students through special lectures, which is truly moving. We will continue to maintain and develop our tradition and honor through not only modernizing school facilities and creating green spaces but also through substantial education."

Koo Kyungyeol, chairman of the BNB Scholarship Foundation (26th class), stated, "Since starting the scholarship program in 2022, the number of scholars has increased to 49. This year, we plan to provide 40 million KRW in support for scholarships for Gayago juniors and development funds for the alma mater."

Kim Yongseong, Professor of Metallurgical Engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (26th class), as a representative mentor, introduced a mentoring case for Hong Seungman (Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Department of Industrial Engineering, 69th class), one of last year's freshmen mentees in the Seoul area.

Attendees included Kim Sangyun (former CEO of BNK Venture Investment, 24th class), Kang Seongsik (Standing Auditor, National Research Foundation of Korea), Kim Dongsu (Auditor, BNB Steel), Seo Byungsam (Vice Head, Busan-Gyeongnam Alumni Mentor Group), Son Gwangju (Auditor, KJ Global, 26th class), Kim Sangcheol (Specialist, Integrity Innovation Committee, Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, 28th class), Woo Byunghyun (CEO, Asia Economy), Kang Cheonggeun (CEO, Ssuimsae Gift), Song Nangeun (Lawyer, Law Firm Wimin), Jung Hyunwook (Accountant, Kim & Chang Law Firm), Oh Changsoo (Auditor, Kumyoung Entertainment, 29th class), Choi Yusik (Director, Northeast Asia Research Institute, Chosun Ilbo, 30th class), Cho Sangshik (Dean, Graduate School, Dongguk University, 31st class), Park Sungha (Lawyer, Law Firm Dongin, 32nd class), Kang Shinmyeon (Director, Incheon Regional Procurement Office, 33rd class), Jung Seunghwa (Commander, 21st Mobile Unit, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, 45th class), and Choi Chiyoung (Commander, 73rd Mobile Unit, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, 46th class).

In addition, many young alumni in their 20s and 30s attended, including Lee Seunghyun (Sogang University, Department of Chemistry), Hong Yujin (Kyung Hee University, Department of Media Studies, both 67th class), Jung Yoon (Yonsei University, School of Business, 68th class), Kim Mingyu (Professor, Inha University, Department of Chemistry), and Park Heejae (Reporter, YTN, both 55th class).

The event was hosted by announcer Yoon Jihyang, and all expenses were covered by alumnus Koo Kyungyeol.

The alumni mentor group of Gaya High School in the Seoul-Gyeonggi region is holding a partnership ceremony.