Undergraduate Institution: Parsons School of Design
Undergraduate Study: Strategic Design and Management Major, Photography Minor
Area(s) of Interest: Music, Photography, Video/Digital Media, Arts/Music Festivals, Entrepreneurship, PR/Marketing
Experience: I planned and executed the tasting event for Luzhou Laojiao, a traditional heritage Chinese liquor brand in the U.S. The event aimed to observe the reactions of potential stakeholders in the global market and to promote the traditional Chinese drinking culture. I was the main responsible organizer and executor for the event, drafting the activities, finding vendors and locations, providing HR support, and handling the final on-site operations. The event was held successfully with over 150+ attendees and got really great feedback from both sides of the cooperators
Ideal role in 10 years: PM for the creative firm or the manager of A&R team, connecting the artists and brand
What led you to enroll in the MSLCE program at Northwestern University?
The deciding factor in my decision to apply to the MSLCE program was its rich and interdisciplinary curriculum, which covers all the areas I’m interested in. Additionally, during my conversation with the interviewer, I could sense that the MSLCE department would be an inclusive and passionate community. I’m very much looking forward to working with such people and learning from them
Favorite song/movie/podcast/show/festival/exhibition?
My favorite live performance was Anyma’s The End of Genesys at the Sphere in Las Vegas. It was one of the most breathtaking live experiences I’ve ever had. The Sphere’s massive immersive screen brought every visual effect to life, especially the glasses-free 3D elements, making the audience feel completely surrounded by the world of the show. What impressed me most was how the visuals and DJ set worked together to tell a cohesive story. Rather than feeling like a typical concert, the entire performance unfolded as one complete narrative, combining music, technology, and storytelling in a way I had never experienced before
What aspect of the MSLCE program are you most excited to experience? (i.e. specific class, site visit, IDEA fund, internship, etc.)
I’m most excited about Managing AI in Creative Industries. I used to be genuinely afraid of AI-generated content because I worried about what would happen if diverse human aesthetics were gradually replaced by the same AI-generated look. Now, AI is developing so fast that I sometimes can’t even tell what’s AI-generated anymore, which honestly scares me even more. But that fear made me realize I can’t just avoid AI. I want to understand it, learn how to manage it, and figure out how to make it work for me rather than fear where it might take us
If you had to describe yourself in three words they would be…
Passionate, kind, and brave
If you could donate one million dollars, which cause/organization would you choose to support?
I would donate to organizations supporting children, especially autistic children and children from underprivileged backgrounds. Even though many people in my generation seem increasingly hesitant about having children, I still believe children represent our future. They have a way of seeing possibility, curiosity, and beauty in the world that adults often lose as we grow older. I would want to help protect that perspective by giving more children the resources and opportunities to explore the world freely and become whoever they want to be
Which leader or influential figure inspires you the most and why?
The person who has inspired me the most is Jaemin from NCT. I first discovered him through a video in late 2020, and for the past six years, he has been my favorite K-pop idol and a source of comfort while I’ve been living far from home. Through supporting him, I met people who started as fellow fans but eventually became some of my closest friends. More importantly, I learned from him how to love others, love myself, and keep becoming a better version of myself. On stage, I admire how seriously he takes his profession and how consistently he gives his best as an idol. Off stage, what inspires me even more is his curiosity and humility. He is constantly learning from the people and world around him, not simply to become a better member of NCT, but to grow as Jaemin himself. In many ways, the things I have learned from him over these six years have quietly shaped the person I am today