D, Everything Happens for a Reason
Two years ago, I packed my life into two suitcases and left for the UAE.
At that time, I wasn’t chasing success or an escape — I was searching for air, for quiet, and for a version of myself I hadn’t seen in a long time. Everything in my life felt too heavy, and I knew I needed to step away from what I had been to understand who I could become. So I left, with no clear plan, only a quiet hope that change might heal me.
Those three months in the UAE changed me in ways I could never have imagined.
I met friends from all over the world — from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. We shared stories of courage, heartbreak, and hope, laughing late into the night as though we had known each other for years.
Through them, I learned resilience that crosses borders and kindness that transcends language. I tried new foods, picked up new phrases, explored unfamiliar streets, and rediscovered joy in the small, ordinary moments. Those days were a gift — a chapter filled with warmth, connection, and the rediscovery of what it means to live freely.
When I returned to Korea, I didn’t stop moving. The following months became a whirlwind of growth and opportunity.
I began as a protocol officer for the Korea–Africa Summit Secretariat, supporting diplomats and government officials. Soon after, I found myself working on numerous B2B interpretation projects, connecting businesses across languages and industries.
Then came my internship at IBK Bank, where I learned discipline, teamwork, and the rhythm of the financial world. I was later chosen as Korea’s national representative for the Korea–Japan Exchange Program hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — a role that deepened my understanding of diplomacy and global collaboration. Along the way, I joined several international programs and initiatives that expanded my professional and personal horizons.
And then, as if all of these experiences were meant to lead somewhere, I met someone who became a turning point in my career — the CEO of Turning Point MEA. That meeting opened the door to the world I had once only dreamed of — the Middle East, not as a traveler this time, but as a professional.
Today, I work with an incredible team, supporting Korean companies as they navigate their way into the MENA region. Every task, every project, every person I meet reminds me that none of this was random.
They say in the Middle East that nothing happens by chance.
Looking back, I understand that now.
Leaving for the UAE during my hardest days wasn’t an escape — it was the beginning of a purpose I hadn’t yet recognized.
This artwork captures that story.
Each color holds a memory — laughter, exhaustion, courage, and gratitude. The girl at the center, with her eyes gently closed, embraces every version of who I’ve been — the one who fell, the one who healed, and the one still learning to grow.
I wonder — what did you feel when you saw this illustration?
Through my art, I hope you’ll come to know me a little better — not just what I’ve done, but who I am inside.
Do you know my life motto? “Love more, hate less.”
I’ve grown into the person I am today because of the countless moments of love and kindness I’ve received along the way.
And from now on, I want to become someone who passes that same energy forward — to share the warmth, joy, and love that once lifted me when I needed it most.
This drawing carries that part of my heart. It is filled with gratitude, quiet strength, and the hope to give back what I’ve been given. Can you feel it too?
If someone ever tells me, “I really don’t like you,”
I would simply smile and say, “That’s okay, I can make you love me.”
My life is now standing at the beginning of a new chapter — and I’m excited to begin it with all of you!
Visit my Linkedin for watching my meaningful artwork!