Heonsoo Rhee: “What excites me the most is that, at 42, we are part of a community that thrives on excellence.”

Having worked in Tech for over 40 years, with stints in the Silicon Valley or prestigious companies such as IBM and Cisco System, Heonsoo Rhee now heads 42 Gyeongsan, the second 42 campus to open in South Korea. As the campus enters its second year of existence, he and his team aim to develop talents who are innovative, resilient, and capable of shaping the future, in an era of digital convergence.

Can you please tell us more about your background? What is your education and what were you doing before 42?

I have been working in the IT Industry for over 40 years and I now work as the director of 42 Gyeongsan. I hold a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s in computer engineering. My professional background includes roles at IBM Korea, Bell Canada Research, Cisco Systems headquarters in the U.S., and Samsung Electronics. I also served as the 1st head of the Korea Innovation Center at Silicon Valley Center under Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, showcasing extensive expertise in ICT ecosystems and industry trends​.

What do you like about your position at your campus?

What I truly appreciate about my position at 42 Gyeongsan, and more widely at the Gyeongsan Innovation Academy is the opportunity I have to foster a learning environment that emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. Leading a campus that allows me to see students grow not only in their technical skills but also in their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and work together to solve real-world problems. What excites me the most is being part of a community that thrives on excellence, where every individual is encouraged to reach their highest potential. I find great satisfaction in seeing students develop into open-minded, innovative leaders who can contribute to the digital landscape in Korea.

Additionally, the close-knit nature of our academy allows us to create a supportive, family-like environment, where teamwork and mutual respect are fundamental to our success. Furthermore, being in this role also gives me the privilege to directly contribute to South Korea’s goal of becoming a global leader in the AI and technology fields.

What is your vision for the future of education?

The traditional education system in South Korea, much like in many Asian countries, often relies on a text-based, teacher-centered approach. This top-down methodology emphasizes rote memorization and dependence on teachers and textbooks for knowledge dissemination. Such an environment makes it difficult to foster creativity, diversity of thought, or the development of new ideas and solutions through debates and collaborative discussions. Despite South Korea’s reputation as an IT powerhouse, built on a foundation of exceptionally talented individuals, the country faces challenges in innovation. While global corporations like Samsung, LG, SK, and Hyundai have made significant impacts worldwide, the country has relatively few globally recognized innovative startups or companies.

In contrast, the 42 education philosophy promotes self-directed learning and peer-to-peer collaboration. This approach encourages individuals to independently identify problems and collaboratively develop innovative solutions through teamwork and mutual respect for diverse perspectives. I think that this is where the future of education lies, and by integrating this philosophy, South Korea should be able to nurture its software talents into innovative, open-minded global digital leaders who can adapt to and thrive in the era of advanced AI. This transformation is needed to further solidify South Korea’s position as a leading ICT nation on the global stage.

What is your management style, how do you make your team work together?

With over 40 years of experience in global corporations, startups, and government institutions, I have developed a deep understanding of organizational management. My philosophy emphasizes adaptability to the unique needs of each organization, with a strong focus on fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. At 42 Gyeongsan, my management approach is tailored to our size and purpose. While we define clear missions and roles for teams, the priority is creating a family-like atmosphere rooted in communication, mutual respect, and teamwork. By encouraging collaboration and flexibility, we aim to maximize productivity and efficiency.

Unlike large corporations where teams operate independently within rigid structures, small organizations thrive when every member contributes beyond defined roles, helping one another achieve shared goals. Through this approach, we nurture a culture of trust and innovation, ensuring that our academy serves as both a learning institution and a close-knit community.

42 has 4 pillars: openness, excellence, tech, and ethics. Which one is the most important to you and why?

It is very hard for me to say which pillars are most important because all 4 pillars are absolutely required and important. But for this question, I can say that Excellence is the foundation for transformative growth and success. At 42 Gyeongsan, I’m trying to prioritize a relentless pursuit of high standards in education, collaboration, and innovation. Excellence is not just an outcome but a mindset that inspires continuous improvement, fosters ambition, and drives global impact. By integrating Excellence with Openness, Tech, and Ethics, we aim to develop global talents who are innovative, resilient, and capable of shaping the future in the era of digital convergence.