Do What You Really Want to Do!

  Lee Se-ra, who graduated from the Department of Korean Language, Literature, and Creative Writing, was a former weather forecaster of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS). Now, she is working as a writer, a broadcaster and a Chief Executive Officer of “Arts in you,” a brand that holds lectures and talks about culture and art. The Dongguk Post interviewed her, who has tried to challenge herself in various ways, to give a positive message to Donggukians who are worried about their unclear future by telling her passionate story.

Q1. Please introduce yourself.

Hello, alumni. I am Lee Se-ra, the class of 2006 from the Department of Korean Language, Literature, and Creative Writing at Dongguk University. After graduating from school, I worked as a weather forecaster for Yonhap News TV and KBS, and now I am working as a writer, a broadcaster, and also running a speech education institution.

Q2. You majored in the Department of Korean Language, Literature, and Creative Writing and have been engaged in various jobs until now. We are curious about why and how you made all your career choices.

   When I set a goal and accomplish it, I tend to move on to the next goal. For example, after becoming a KBS weather forecaster, my goal was to be in charge of the main news at 9 P.M.. After I started hosting the 9 P.M. news, my next goal was to be in charge of not only news, which is the goal of caster, but also educational programs. Starting in 2016, I hosted <I love movie> at the same time as the 9 P.M. news. Before reaching my mid-30s, I set a new goal of having to pursue another career, not a weather forecaster. Therefore, I set one goal and move on to accomplish it, and set another destination. This process seems to be repeated all the time.

Q3. Especially, you have a keen interest in art and are also engaging in jobs related to it. So how did you get interested in art, which is quite distinct from your major at Dongguk University? 

   In fact, studying Korean literature and art history was not that different for me. The Department of Korean Literature at Dongguk University was an important place that taught me how to speak in my language and how interesting it is. 

   When I was a freshman and a sophomore, I mainly wrote poems and novels, but gradually moved on to studying criticism. I learned how valuable the ability to speak in my language is by repeatedly reading and analyzing various primary texts,whether they are novels, poems or movies, and rearranging them with my own thoughts and words. In this point, the study of art history is the same in nature, although the primary text has been changed to works of art – visual materials. 

   However, considering why it was “art” among many fields, I felt that art is a field that many people can enjoy for a long time regardless of generation or gender.

Q4. Did you have any fears or worries when you challenge a new field? If you had any, how did you overcome them and move on to new direction?

   Of course, there were. I am the one who especially has lots of worries. When I suddenly quit my job as a KBS weather anchor and said I would take on a new challenge, people around me stopped me. Looking back, I cannot help but wonder why I did not listen to anyone else’s advice and did whatever I wanted, but at that time I just believed in myself. Starting with the publication of books, there was a plan to change careers and then move on to the next high ground while running related businesses. (Of course, it did not go as planned, and there was a lot of trial and error. I still feel like I am going through it.) 

   There are still fears and worries about new challenges, so I do not think I can make the answer to this question nice. However, I do not want to look too far away, but I try to solve the problems that are approaching me every time. If I have a simple desire to do something, I will make a realistic decision on whether I have the ability or not right now.

Q5. Is there any remarkable memory you have from your experience in various jobs?

   When I ran two businesses at the same time last year, I was surprised again how many things I did not know. There are so many things to know, such as legal provisions and economic knowledge. Even in my early 30s, I was mainly interested in literature and art and tried to consume related studies, so I feel that there are many things that are lacking in common sense. I belatedly realized the importance of living a balanced life, and now I want to study related subjects whenever I have time.

Q6. If you have some difficulties working as both a writer and a CEO, could you tell us about them?

   I feel like two things are difficult. Lack of time, lack of ability. I heard that time management is one of the most important abilities, but I wake up in the morning and run around. If you look back at it, the day has passed. I want to handle many things clearly and perfectly, but I get frustrated whenever I find out that there are many mistakes or holes. “Oh, you idiot!” I think I scream like this at least twice a day. 

Q7. There are many students who do not know what they really want to do is. Also, some students give up their dreams because of the gap between their dreams and reality. So, we want to ask your thoughts of “doing what I really want to do.”

   It is absolutely important. Not long ago, I had an interview with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Chat-GPT expert. We talked about replacing human jobs with artificial intelligence, and what he said was impressive. It is inevitable that many people (especially teenagers) will lose their place in the future society due to machines. However, people with the top 10% ability in any job will not be replaced, but only those who really like and enjoy their job can have the top 10% ability. What do you think? Do you agree? I can understand to some extent. 

   People are not greedy or creative to work harder because they do not like them. If that happens, the achievement of my work will also decrease, and I will be eliminated. Then I will have no choice but to be pushed by my rival (whether it is human or machine). After all, the answer is sustainable only when you do what you like. 

   However, what I want to say is that doing what you like does not make you feel comfortable. Everything is somewhat painful and troublesome. You will not be able to accomplish anything if you quickly dismiss it as something you do not like or give up just because you run into a wall or are having a hard time.

Q8. What do you think about the difference between choosing one way and going for many ways?

   I think that what is more important than choosing one path or focusing on various fields is that individuals becoming a brand. You can continue to work at one job or work as a freelancer instead of a job. There are many ways in life, so I cannot say anything is better. However, wherever you are, you must have your own weapon that is different from others. 

   For example, when I was a weather caster my concern was, “How can I make the broadcast different from other casters?” Should the characters be constructed in a stylistic way, or should the first comment be written more specifically using the characteristics of writing the manuscript? I was thinking about it every day. I thought that was exactly the process of creating a brand called me. Now that I am a broadcaster, I am thinking about how to brand myself more effectively as an art book writer and a speaker with a history of being a broadcaster. In other words, one well or several wells are not the key, but the key is for me to become a distinctive and irreplaceable being with clear expertise.

Q9. Do you have any advice you would like to give to students who are worried about their uncertain career path and if their department corresponds with their goals?

   First of all, I want to say that a wonderful world awaits you. The world is a place with so many possibilities and fun, so please respond sensitively to trends in how the world works now and think carefully about what I can do among them. As you all know, the value of jobs, workplaces, and life that you have been looking for have been modified and changed in many ways. I want to live with my intuition about changes in the world. 

   Second, decide on one area where you can become an expert by immersing yourself and studying. It does not have to be your major in university at all. You can choose just because it is a field you like and are interested in, or for more practical and realistic reasons. There are no limitations in the field of classical history, reasoning about the world’s 100 most beautiful libraries, or studying Chat-GPT. What is important is to dig into it and reach the level of an expert. In my experience, being able to study and learn one thing in depth has always been a weapon for me in my life. The content of knowledge itself is a great tool, however, the experience of immersion and intellectual achievement itself can be helpful.

Q10. Lastly, could you tell us more if there are any new field or goals that you would like to try more?

   Finishing the book, which will be published early next year, is likely to be an important goal in the second half of this year. I do not have many goals for the far future, so I think this is all about it.