Introduction
From 21 to 30 May 2025, a group of 14 CN Yang Scholars embarked on an overseas learning trip to South Korea, accompanied by Minee from the CN Yang Scholars Programme Office. Over the span of 10 days, we visited three renowned research universities: Sungkyunkwan University and Yonsei University in Seoul, and KAIST in Daejeon.
Our group consists of students from diverse academic backgrounds, including biological sciences, computer science, physics, and engineering. Beyond traditional research disciplines like biology and chemistry, we were also introduced to exciting interdisciplinary fields such as biomedical engineering and culture technology, which blends computer science with media and the arts.
The figure below shows all the research institutes we visited during our Korea OT.
Day 1 – Visit to Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University has two campuses — one in Seoul and another in Suwon. To reach the Department of Chemistry, we took a one-hour bus ride from Seoul to Sungkyunkwan University’s Suwon campus. We were warmly welcomed by the Head of the Department, Professor Hyoyoung Lee, and Professor Hanyong Bae, who had previously hosted the 14th MC CN Yang Scholars during their overseas trip in December 2022.
We were given guided tours of three research labs located in the chemistry building: the CO₂ to Multi-carbon Production Centre, the Reaction Design and Catalysis Lab, and the Theragnostic Advanced Biomolecule Lab.
Among the three labs, some of us were intrigued by the research conducted at the CO₂ to Multi-carbon Production Centre. The lab focused on developing and improving technologies to mitigate climate change, such as capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and producing hydrogen as a green fuel. This topic especially resonated with us, as climate change was covered in our Year 1 CN Yang core module. We were shown novel compounds with enhanced carbon-capturing efficiency, as well as tools used to evaluate electrolysis catalysts, which are key to producing low-cost green hydrogen fuel.
At the Theragnostic Advanced Biomolecule Lab, the researchers kindly prepared a comprehensive presentation to introduce their research focus. Many of us were surprised to see how closely their work aligned with biomedical research. Some of their projects included drug delivery systems and the use of mouse models to study muscular dystrophy. For some non-biology students, it was also their first time stepping into a comprehensive biological lab, which is complete with a mammalian cell culture room, making the experience both eye-opening and memorable.
After the lab visits, we enjoyed a Korean-style bento lunch (dosirak) in the seminar room kindly offered by the Department of Chemistry. During lunch, we had the chance to interact more informally with the researchers. Some scholars took the opportunity to ask about postgraduate studies in Korean universities. We learned about key differences in programme structure, scholarships, and sources of funding compared to postgraduate pathways in Singapore, which were all valuable insights for those considering further studies abroad.
Day 2 – Visit to Yonsei University
Our visit to Yonsei University’s School of Engineering began with a warm welcome and opening remarks from Associate Dean Professor Jong-Moon Chung, who has an interesting profile—he holds dual appointments in the School of Engineering and College of Medicine at Yonsei University. He introduced us to the university’s history, which was formed through the merger of Yonhi College and Severance Union Medical College in 1957. This unique origin has shaped a strong foundation for interdisciplinary research, particularly between the College of Engineering and Severance Hospital.
The seminar session continued with research presentations by four graduate students from different departments: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Each student shared their biomedical research projects, showcasing how various fields of engineering can contribute to medical innovation. For example, artificial intelligence is being used to assist cardiovascular disease diagnosis, while material science is applied to design hydrogels with specific properties for wound healing. There was a project about developing new therapeutics based on immunological concepts, which surprised us with how biologically focused engineering work can be.
Following the seminar, we were brought on a one-hour campus tour by a student ambassador from the International Ambassador Team. The ambassador was not only friendly but also deeply knowledgeable about Yonsei’s landmarks. We visited Gwanghyewon (the restored royal hospital that was also Korea’s first modern hospital), the Yonsei-Samsung Library and the iconic Underwood Statue. We were mesmerised by the beautiful buildings, which feature a blend of Western and Korean architectural influences, and the scenic green landscape. One interesting fact we discovered is that the bushes surrounding the Underwood Statue are trimmed to resemble the British flag from a bird’s-eye view. It was easy to see why the campus was chosen as a filming location for popular Korean dramas like True Beauty and Reply 1994.
We ended the visit with lunch at the School of Engineering’s cafeteria, where we had casual conversations with the graduate students. Some of us also bought souvenirs featuring Yonsei University’s signature royal blue at the Yonsei Co-op Shop (like the U-Shop of NTU). This visit to Yonsei was the final academic programme in Seoul. In the evening, we travelled to Daejeon via KTX bullet train, ready for the next stage of our trip at KAIST.
Day 3 visit – KAIST Campus Asia and Korea Virus Research Institute (KVRI)
On our first day at KAIST, we were warmly welcomed by Professor Seungbum Hong from the Materials Imaging & Integration (MII) Lab. Professor Hong began by introducing the history of KAIST, which, in his words, was “born from a dream”—a vision by the South Korean government to overcome poverty through investment in science and technology. Learning about how much Korea has grown since then helped us better understand how research and innovation can play a big role in developing a country.
Professor Hong left a strong impression on us not only with his insights but also with his warmth and sincerity. He shared his personal academic journey of returning to establish his lab at KAIST after many years in the US, and his current passion for mentoring students and raising scientific awareness among the elderly in Korea. He actively engaged us in conversation, encouraging both his lab students and us to share our dreams and aspirations. The one-hour session passed quickly and felt more like an exchange among peers than a formal talk.
Following this, we visited KAIST Campus Asia, which has hosted many CN Yang Scholars over the years for short-term or final-year project (FYP) attachments. KAIST is part of the T2KN CAMPUS Asia Plus Consortium, which includes Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), Tsinghua University (China), KAIST (South Korea), and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore). As part of the exchange, our trip IC gave a brief introduction to the CN Yang Scholars Programme, while the KAIST Campus Asia representatives introduced the various short- and long-term exchange programmes they offer to students from participating universities within the consortium.
We were then brought on a tour by Mr Edward, a student who had previously been assigned as a buddy acting as a guide and mentor to several of our seniors during their participation in the Campus Asia programme. He guided us through the KAIST Vision Hall, which showcased the university’s founding milestones and achievements.
A highlight of the tour was the “Idea Factory” which is a student makerspace filled with tools and resources for building prototypes — similar to our Making & Tinkering Lab, but on a larger scale. The visit concluded with a traditional Korean lunch at the Faculty Club, kindly hosted by KAIST Campus Asia.
In the afternoon, we travelled a short distance to the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) to visit the Korea Virus Research Institute (KVRI). A highlight of this visit was the opportunity to tour their Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility, where researchers work with high-risk pathogens. It was fascinating to observe scientists wearing full-body personal protective equipment that resembled astronaut suits when conducting work in the BSL-3 facility. Upon exiting, we even had to disinfect the soles of our shoes with ethanol — a small but memorable glimpse into the strict safety procedures required for working in high-containment labs.
Day 3 was definitely a mix of inspiration and excitement—from meeting passionate researchers to seeing some seriously high-tech labs. It left us curious and eager for what’s next on the trip!
Day 4 – KAIST Graduate School of Culture Technology (GSCT)
According to our post-trip survey, the visit to GSCT was by far the most interesting and enjoyable for nearly all trip members. This visit was planned by the trip ICs following a strong recommendation from a CN Yang Scholar senior who visited GSCT during his OT and later chose to conduct his OFYP in a GSCT lab. The research theme of GSCT focuses on Culture Technology, an interdisciplinary field that blends arts, humanities, and social sciences with cutting-edge science, technology, and cultural thinking.
We visited six research groups within GSCT, spending about an hour with each to maximise our exposure to this unique field. Each group prepared engaging presentations showcasing their diverse research projects. We had plenty of time to ask questions and dive deeper into specific topics. Almost everyone could find something relatable or familiar to them among the labs—whether it was musical instruments, video games, spatial design, cinematic experiences, immersive sound design, pop culture, ghost stories, or more. Compared to other visits, the trip members clearly showed greater interest and engagement here. It was also a fruitful visit for those who are more technically inclined, as they witnessed firsthand how data analytics, machine learning, virtual reality, metaverse technology, and signal processing are applied across different research areas.
Many labs also let us experience their prototypes and advanced technologies firsthand, making the visit even more memorable. At the Future Space Lab, we tried virtual reality headsets and immersed ourselves in the metaverse workplace. At the Music and Computing Lab (MACLab), one of the trip members tried the real-time music scripting technology when he played a piece on the piano, and another one who does not know how to play a piano also managed to put up a performance together with the help of an AI pianist. At the AIRIS lab, we experienced immersive aural heritage that mimics the sound environment of a heritage site through innovative recording techniques and Virtual Reality capabilities. At the Brain and Music Lab, some of us tried wearing the electroencephalogram (EEG) measuring device, which measures brain activity during music.
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Beyond the research, we also connected with many young international graduate students studying at GSCT, including an NTU alumnus from CCEB. They shared their perspectives on conducting research at KAIST as international students. One trip member even received a personal invitation to attend an art and tech networking event in Seoul with members from MACLab, adding a special highlight to his Korea OT experience.
Day 5 – KAIST Department of Biological Sciences | KAIST Analysis Centre for Research Advancement (KARA)
In the morning, we visited four biology labs located in the Natural Science Building and the KAIST Institute Building. Lab students gave us a quick tour of their equipment and shared brief overviews of their research projects. In two of the labs, we learned how white mice are used in biomedical research—one lab showed us mice models with induced depression, while the other had mice with induced tumours in their legs. We also visited a microbiology lab that had cleverly modified machines and robot arms assembled in-house to automate routine protocols. Lastly, we were introduced to some analytical instruments, including the flow cytometer and the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS), and learned about their working principles.
For lunch, we ate at a nearby student canteen. The dining experience felt quite special—we queued with trays and selected dishes served in small plates according to our preferences, like kimchi, soup, or meat. We then brought our trays to the counter to pay. It was fun getting to try a variety of Korean dishes, all at a student-friendly price.
After lunch, we visited the KAIST Analysis Center for Research Advancement (KARA), a major research facility that supports both KAIST researchers and industry partners. The center houses a range of high-end analytical instruments, especially for advanced microscopy and spectroscopy. Many of the machines we saw were much more powerful than what’s typically available in standard research labs, and it was exciting to get a closer look at the capabilities of such cutting-edge equipment.
Our final day at KAIST gave us a glimpse into the life sciences and research support facilities, rounding off our visit on a quieter but informative note. We were grateful for the warm welcome, thoughtful tour arrangements, and engaging conversations throughout our three-day stay. It was a rare opportunity to explore such a wide range of research areas at one of Asia’s top institutes. Who knows—like some of our seniors before us, we might just find ourselves back here one day.
RnR – Seoul
Our hotel in Seoul, Henn Na Hotel at Myeongdong, was conveniently located near Myeongdong train station, giving us easy access to various tourist spots around the city. Just a five-minute walk away was the lively Myeongdong shopping street, which is a lively area filled with glowing signboards, rows of street food carts, skincare outlets and trendy fashion stores. Whenever our schedule ended early, we would head back to the hotel, then go for a casual walk through the buzzing night streets of Myeongdong.
On our first day in Seoul, we met up with our CN Yang senior, Sungyeon, who is currently taking a break from his studies to serve in the Korean military. After catching up, we strolled along Cartoon Street (Jaemi-ro) and took photos with the buildings and walls decorated in colourful and playful murals.
We continued walking towards Namsan Seoul Tower and decided to hike up through Namsan Park instead of taking the cable car. This decision was encouraged by a very friendly Korean uncle who assured us the hike was “easy.” (Spoiler: it was not!) But the view from the top, especially with the tower standing tall against the skyline, the famous couple locks adorning the fences, and a beautiful sunset, made the effort worth it.
Our second day in Seoul was packed with historical sights. We began at the majestic Gwanghwamun Square, where we visited the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin. We also explored the grand Gyeongbok Palace, and wandered through the Bukchon Hanok Village, a charming neighbourhood filled with traditional Korean houses nestled on hilly lanes.
In the evening, we made our way to Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and most iconic traditional markets in Seoul. We tried out a variety of street food such as hotteok (sweet pancakes with brown sugar filling), bindaetteok (crispy mung bean pancakes), and of course, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). If you’re wondering why so many Korean foods end with tteok—it’s because they’re all variations of rice cakes, a beloved staple in Korean cuisine.
No trip to Korea is complete without shopping, and we definitely made the most of it. We visited popular spots like Seongsu-dong, The Hyundai Seoul, and the lively Hongdae district, where street performers and art pop up at every corner. Some of us stocked up on cosmetics and skincare at Olive Young, others picked up trendy summer clothes perfect for Singapore’s warm weather, and a few came to Korea with one clear mission: to hunt down favourite Korean fragrances — which they did.
If you couldn’t tell already, we were constantly on our feet exploring Seoul — and it was pretty exhausting! But we also had the chance to experience some truly unique events, like live university music festivals featuring our favourite K-pop artists and football matches at stadiums. The crowd’s energy, coordinated fan chants, and overall enthusiasm created an electrifying atmosphere that’s hard to find in Singapore. It was amazing to feel how our hobbies are celebrated and embraced so passionately in Korea — something we rarely get to experience back home.
Beyond the main highlights, we also found time to explore several other famous spots, such as the National Museum of Korea, Seoul Grand Park, Seoul Forest Park, the beautiful Starfield Library inside Coex Mall, and scenic parks along the Han River.
And, of course, the food. With trip members who observe vegetarian or halal diets, we made an effort to discover restaurants that cater to various needs and were pleasantly surprised by how accessible and delicious the options were. We had comforting bowls of gukbap (soup with rice), queued at the famous Myeongdong Gyoza for hearty dumpling ramyeon, shared hot pots of gamjatang (pork bone stew with potato), indulged in jokbal (braised pig trotters), and made multiple stops for fried chicken and Korean barbeque. Along the way, we also went on a bit of café hunting, discovering beautiful cafés where we enjoyed delicious pastries paired with chilled drinks. Each meal gave us more reasons to fall in love with Korean food culture.
RnR – Daejeon
Compared to the bustling, brightly lit streets of Myeongdong, Daejeon felt quieter and more relaxed. The city still had dimly glowing signages at night, but the streets were less crowded, making our evening strolls calm and enjoyable. The streets no longer had the familiar faces of foreign visitors, and it was rare to find Chinese or English-speaking shop staff or translated menus, which was a common sight in Myeongdong. Perhaps this was a glimpse of what everyday life in Korea really looks like for locals.
Daejeon doesn’t have many tourist attractions because it’s a city focused on science, technology, and research—the very reason we chose to visit this city. While Daejeon offers beautiful natural spots like forests and lakes that are great for sightseeing, unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore those.
After our official visits ended each day, we enjoyed some leisure time wandering along Expo Bridge and shopping at Skyroad and an underground shopping street. A true highlight of our stay was visiting the famous Sungsimdang Bakery, known throughout Korea for its delicious yet affordable bread—definitely a must-visit for anyone coming to Daejeon. In the evenings, we would venture a few streets away from our hotel to hunt for tasty local food, then take relaxing night walks around the city to soak in the calm urban vibe.
Conclusion and Reflections
Without a doubt, we have all created meaningful memories with our peers during this Korea trip. The visits to the universities were both enriching and inspiring, marking a significant chapter in our CN Yang Scholar journey in Year 1. As we wrapped up our 10 days, it became clear that this trip was more than just an academic tour—it was a journey into the heart of a vibrant, multifaceted country. From the dynamic streets of Seoul to the innovative environment of Daejeon, every moment contributed to diverse stories and lasting takeaways that together form a vital part of the CN Yang Experience. Last but not least, a big thank you to every welcoming personnel who warmly hosted us and CNYSO for the financial support!