Some context on where I’ve been and where I’m headed.
Work
Career-wise, I started out as a theoretical physicist. I was lucky enough to have supportive mentors through my PhD and postdoc, along with amazing collaborators all over the world. That time really taught me the value of tinkering; my best work usually started with just a small idea and a quick experiment. I also learned that when I was feeling stuck and things got tough, the best way out was simply to keep moving, even if I didn’t feel all that confident. It was a lot like following a random walk.
After a couple of postdocs, I moved into industry to work on computational science, focusing on machine learning and quantum algorithms. The biggest eye-opener for me was learning how to balance novelty with a budget, meaning time and resources. It wasn’t easy at first, but it really helped me grow into a more well-rounded researcher. Nowadays, I’m working on simulations and computational geometry for manufacturing. It’s a mix of fascinating and, honestly, pretty gnarly problems, but I’ve got a great team I can truly count on!
Life
Originally from Korea, I now live near Philadelphia. Though I never planned on settling in the US, I’ve come to enjoy the journey of being a ‘forever learner’ of American culture and the English language. Raising two sons in an environment so different from my own childhood has been a fascinating experience that constantly gives me fresh perspectives on my own roots.
Beyond my work, I am a son, a brother, a husband, and a father. I’ve been incredibly blessed with a loving family. I especially appreciate the patience and understanding of my wife as we navigate life together. As my sons enter their teenage years, I’m focused on learning how to support them better. I’ve been spending a lot of time reading up on parenting lately, mostly to avoid the common trap of being an impatient or overly demanding parent. It is a practice I am constantly refining.
I am deeply curious about certain social issues, like politics and the economy, especially how society will evolve in the face of AI. How can we best prepare and educate the next generation for the world that is coming? How can we contribute to the world by making it a bit more just, a bit more productive, and a bit more empathetic? Ultimately, I want to grow into a warm and generous person who can return what I’ve received from society, hopefully in a better version than I found it.
Faith
I grew up in the Christian faith and once committed myself to a life of serving God. However, that early certainty was shattered as I grew older and became disappointed with the religious community. I began to see how some parts of the church were affecting Korean society in insular and negative ways. For about ten years, I felt lost and struggled with my beliefs, though I still attended church formally from time to time.
The turning point came when I encountered the work of Peter Enns. For the first time, I learned that there are different ways to interpret the Bible. Instead of seeing it as a literal record of God’s voice, I began to see it as a record of a faithful community struggling with human pain. This was something I could actually relate to.
With this new perspective, I began searching for a new spiritual home and am currently exploring the Episcopal Church. I discovered thinkers like N.T. Wright, Rowan Williams, Greg Boyd, and Miroslav Volf. I once thought I was alone in my doubts, but now I realize there are many great minds who have tried to make sense of Christianity in the modern world. Their work gives me hope that a Christian life need not be hateful or exclusive, but can be loving and generous. While I am not there yet, it is the path I am trying to follow.