Clockwise from prime left, Lee Hyun-jeong, companion success supervisor at Aptos Lab, Christie Lee, Korea enterprise lead at Aptos Labs, Lee Eun-jin, gross sales director of institutional enterprise at Fireblocks, Kim Ly-kyung, CEO of HYGRID, Lee Yumi, communications lead at Xangle, and Jane Lee, Korea nation lead at Scroll / Courtesy of every particular person
‘The nascent trade provides each professionals and cons, but it surely will depend on the way you navigate it’
By Lee Yeon-woo
Each morning at 6 a.m., Lee Hyun-jeong, often called LJ at Aptos Labs, logs onto a digital assembly along with her U.S. colleagues to kick off her workday. By 9 a.m., she heads to the fitness center and runs private errands for about an hour. After lunch, she resumes work along with her Korean companions till the early night, spending time along with her kids for dinner and bedtime. Later, she finishes extra work and goes to mattress round midnight.
Lee, who has been dwelling in Hong Kong for 2 and a half years, spends her day this manner after transitioning her profession into Web3. Previous to this, she labored for six years at Microsoft and 4 years at Google in Korea.
Web3 companies are firms that leverage blockchain expertise to create decentralized purposes and companies.
“My oldest is six, and right this moment I went to his college for a dad and mom’ exercise the place we clarify what we do for work. It ran from 1 to 2 p.m., however I had a gathering beginning at 2. I used to be capable of take part as a result of it doesn’t matter if I’m working from a restaurant or whereas touring — not like in Korean firms, the place this stuff should be reported,” Lee mentioned.
Lee, a companion success supervisor at Aptos Labs, a number one innovator in blockchain expertise, charges her job satisfaction a 9 out of 10.
“Everybody has their very own classes of happiness. On this trade, it is simpler to keep up stability throughout them, making a well-rounded hexagon. In Korea, I constructed my profession the best way I wished, however there have been instances I felt much less fulfilled as a mom,” she mirrored.
Lee Yumi, the communications lead at cryptocurrency information platform Xangle, shared an identical view.
“Lengthy-term parental depart is probably not the simplest answer for ladies balancing profession and household as a result of it could possibly come on the expense of profession development. In that sense, the pliability Web3 provides is a significant benefit.”
Similar to LJ, 5 different Korean ladies interviewed by The Korea Instances additionally discovered benefits in Web3. Some appreciated working in a cutting-edge trade or the merit-based recognition after fighting inflexible hierarchies, whereas others valued the pliability it provides.
“It appeared inevitable that conventional monetary markets will not have the ability to withstand the rise of digital property,” mentioned Lee Eun-jin, the gross sales director of institutional enterprise at digital asset custody and infrastructure platform Fireblocks, explaining why she pivoted from conventional finance.
“My objective isn’t simply to succeed, however to continue to grow. Whereas consolation and stability have their place, I worth being in a area the place I can repeatedly be taught, evolve, and keep impressed — and that’s precisely what Web3 provides,” she added.
Jane Lee, Korea nation lead at Scroll, an organization targeted on increasing Ethereum, a widely-used blockchain platform, voiced an identical view.
“Since this trade is stuffed with startups, all the things strikes rapidly, and tangible outcomes seem quick, which makes the work thrilling. Everyone works exhausting to develop the market, and it retains me motivated,” she mentioned.
Xangle’s Lee expressed success in figuring out that her every day efforts contribute to her profession progress. Beforehand, she labored on the Korea Press Basis for eight years, the place the hierarchical construction of the general public establishment left little room for possession over her work.
“Fairly than specializing in who I’m, this trade evaluates what I contribute. It could really feel a bit impersonal, however I really discover it extra snug, particularly as a lady,” she mentioned.
Some ladies select to forge their very own paths, drawing on years of expertise.
“At my earlier firm, I collaborated with Aptos, which ultimately led me to affix their group. As we speak, I function the only nation head, since Korea is one in every of Aptos’ key markets,” mentioned Christie Lee, the Korea enterprise lead at Aptos Labs. With over a decade of expertise in startups and funding corporations, Lee turned Aptos’ first rent in Korea two years in the past.
“Web3 brings collectively folks with numerous abilities, every specializing in completely different elements of the trade. Because it’s new to everybody, it creates a stage taking part in area for individuals who can adapt and develop,” she added.
Kim Ly-kyung, higher often called Lemon Kim to her enterprise connections, took an identical leap. By way of her agency HYGRID, she handles enterprise growth requests, connects firms, and manages tasks — a continuation of her earlier work now merged with Web3.
Final month, she facilitated the launch of an NFT in collaboration with Japan’s Lawson, SBINFT, and Korean startup Metacultures. The NFT bundle included tickets for the Busan efficiency of the musical Hadestown, bundled with a journey bundle from Japan.
“I’ve this unusual sense of obligation to always pursue one thing new. Even working in conventional firms, I loved working freely, however some organizations did not all the time respect that. It is a new problem, and never a straightforward one, however I respect that participating with completely different firms helps me deepen my market information,” Kim mentioned.
Contributors go searching cubicles throughout Korea Blockchain Week 2024 at Grand Walkerhill Seoul, Sept. 3. Courtesy of Factblock
Nonetheless, no trade is with out its challenges. Whereas Web3 provides freedom from mounted workspaces and schedules, the fast-paced, intensive work tradition also can take a toll.
“The tempo will be relentless,” Xangle’s Lee admits. “Everybody is continually in ‘go, go, go’ mode. When work seeps into your mornings, nights, and weekends, burnout turns into an actual threat. And the trade doesn’t actually assist handle that stability.”
The trade’s male-dominated, developer-centric tradition additionally poses challenges. Based on a Cointelegraph report in 2023, ladies comprised 26 p.c of jobs within the crypto sector and held solely 6 p.c of management roles.
Based on interviewees, the language utilized in on-line boards can typically really feel harsh and unique, making it difficult for ladies to really feel welcomed. Others highlighted that meetups and group occasions, usually held in nightclubs, function extra boundaries.
“When the web first emerged, many early platforms weren’t precisely optimistic — issues like prostitution and relationship companies gained traction first. However over time, higher companies emerged. Web3 is not any completely different. We’re nonetheless within the early phases, seeing some detrimental features, however the core ideas of Web3 stay sturdy,” LJ at Aptos mentioned.
Fireblocks’ Lee agreed, expressing hope that circumstances would enhance as extra ladies enter senior positions and the trade turns into extra inclusive.
“Girls have been a minority within the early phases of the finance trade as effectively. It’s nonetheless fairly difficult to search out feminine mentors who can function function fashions in Web3. Constructing supportive communities the place we encourage one another is essential.”
