Google 토토사이트 is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Over the years, Google’s services have significantly influenced how 토토사이트ns work, introducing a new work culture to many 토토사이트n companies. From the start, Google 토토사이트 has not just been a local importer of Google's global services; it has actively nurtured the country's digital ecosystem and often pioneered new services within 토토사이트.
In this edition ofGoogle for 토토사이트, we look back at their impact over the past 20 years.
YouTube Shopping, the first dedicated store, and Google Play Games were launched in 토토사이트. Through these platforms, 토토사이트n content has been able to reach international audiences. Kyoung Hoon Kim, a country director at Google 토토사이트, defines the company’s role as an "ecosystem builder."
Q: What do you mean by holistic thinking?
You need to think of the world as interconnected. Let me give an example of legislation. When we used to trade only physical goods, protective barriers were in place, and policies could be written without much concern about international repercussions. However, the dynamics of the digital industry are different. Any regulation you make can affect global players like 토토사이트, and at the same time, it could impact domestic startups trying to expand internationally.
The same concept applies to generative AI. Of course, it토토사이트;s excellent if a country can develop its own foundational AI model, but is it necessary for every country to have its own? There are ways to adapt strong, open-source models and create something valuable for the global market. It토토사이트;s about seeing the world as one large market rather than approaching it like a nation-state competition.
Q: That may have been true in the era of globalization, but now people talk about sovereignty—AI sovereignty, data sovereignty—and are putting up barriers. Is there a sense of crisis in big tech?
I don토토사이트;t see it as a crisis. Even if there토토사이트;s talk of being homegrown or on-premise, decision-makers understand that they need the best global resources to thrive. The question is whether a country can survive if it closes off. It comes down to total optimization versus partial optimization. If you focus only on partial optimization, the entire country may eventually suffer from it.
Q: We토토사이트;ve introduced measures to protect domestic companies, but these can disadvantage our companies. Is this due to a lack of awareness of global interconnectedness?
A:Yes, exactly. Google 토토사이트’s role is to bring the best from the global scene to 토토사이트 and vice versa. The world is interconnected, and we’ve been working to contribute to that connection from the beginning. We’ve had quite a bit of success in doing so.
Q: Some people criticize Google 토토사이트 by asking, ‘Is there anything the 토토사이트n subsidiary can do?’ Doesn’t this reflect the tension between a company's and a country's roles in the digital economy?
A:Someone once told me that Google’s most outstanding product isn’t the search engine but its organizational structure. I agree with that. The key lies in the decentralization of authority. On the one hand, you could say there’s a lack of authority at the local level, but on the other hand, the existing authority is precisely where it’s needed. Platforms like YouTube and Google Play are here, but there are certain things even the president of Google 토토사이트 doesn’t have direct control over. It’s a new organizational model for a new era.
Q: How are 토토사이트n elements integrated into Google’s products?
A:I’ve been in advertising for a long time. 토토사이트n home shopping has been so successful that it expanded to the Middle East. I thought, "Why don’t we bring home shopping to YouTube?" It would make it easier for users to shop and for advertisers to sell. For almost ten years, I advocated for YouTube Shopping in 토토사이트. Finally, last June, we launched the first dedicated YouTube Shopping store in the world here in 토토사이트, in partnership with Cafe24 (a 토토사이트n e-commerce platform).
We’ve made several unsuccessful attempts at YouTube Shopping, but the version in 토토사이트 has been the most successful.
Q: Is YouTube Shopping considered e-commerce?
A:Not quite. The concept is more about facilitating business between creators and viewers on YouTube. For instance, creators and brands can feature products from other shopping malls in their videos, but YouTube doesn토토사이트;t function as a traditional e-commerce platform. Cafe24 still handles the payments and delivery.
Q: Many consider Google 토토사이트’s most significant influence to be its horizontal and autonomous organizational culture. However, with the recent global restructuring, many employees have left the company. Do you feel this advantage is fading?
A:Layoffs have always happened, but the major one in February last year was different because, historically, the company’s actions were more predictable. As you said, 토토사이트 isn’t seen as the trendiest company anymore, and that’s why the layoffs had such a significant impact. We’re carefully watching how this affects the company culture. However, the core systems, like decentralized authority, are still intact.
I’ve thought about this for over a year and concluded that I can only focus on what I can influence. Out of the 800 people at Google 토토사이트, I oversee about 70, and I’ve decided to let them do their jobs as effectively as possible.
Q: How would you summarize Google 토토사이트’s 20 years?
A:We’ve created vital ecosystems in 토토사이트, particularly in advertising. The agencies I worked with have thrived—many have gone public or sold their businesses. I’m proud of Google 토토사이트’s contributions to this, primarily through YouTube and Google Play, which have gained widespread recognition.
Q: Google 토토사이트’s mission seems to stimulate and grow ecosystems.
A:Absolutely. We have a robust creator ecosystem, with 30% of our YouTube views coming from overseas despite our creators not speaking English. 토토사이트 also develops games and apps that are loved globally. We have the potential to create a solid digital ecosystem here, and I believe companies that build ecosystems are highly respected. Unfortunately, there aren’t many such companies in 토토사이트.
Q: What are the critical conditions for building an ecosystem?
A:You need a player who can nurture the ecosystem—a senior leader or a company that fosters growth without favoritism. The role of shareholders is crucial, too. 토토사이트’s shareholders aim to share the return on investment with the ecosystem, which is something I’m proud of. Not all companies do this; some fail to provide shareholder value and don’t share with the broader ecosystem.
Q: You’ve spent most of your career in 토토사이트. Why is that?
A:I worked in China for two years before joining Google. I’m always ready to seize opportunities. Becoming the president of Google 토토사이트 was a mix of coincidence and luck. I was initially in charge of a team working with small and medium-sized advertisers. I had offers for four positions, three of which were in the US or Singapore, but the first offer was to lead Google 토토사이트.
Typically, it takes about three years to settle into a new role, and it토토사이트;s been three and a half years. I'm open to moving if there토토사이트;s a new opportunity where I can contribute.
Q: Do you still enjoy working in advertising?
A:Advertising is still my primary focus, as it’s where I excel. But I’m also excited about working on products where 토토사이트 excels, like YouTube and Google Play.
Q: In a previous interview, you mentioned transitioning from engineer to management consultant. Was this a career break or a continuation?
A:It was a continuation. Engineers approach problems modularly, breaking them down and solving them step by step, similar to consulting. So, for me, it felt like a natural progression.
Yuwon Chun contributed to editing the English version of this article.