Research Themes

I study psychological and interpersonal processes in social media and online games, and how advances in AI impact mediated interaction. For game-based research, I was part of the Annenberg Game Lab, and I still collaborate with the team. I am also interested in exploring how the public makes sense of emerging technologies, such as AI and the metaverse, and their societal and political implications.

My work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Communication Research, Computers in Human Behavior, Mass Communication & Society, Media Psychology, and New Media & Society.

A list of my publications is available at Google Scholar and ResearchGate.

AI-Mediated Communication

  • In progress

Social Media Affordance & Identity

How does self-presentation on social media influence the way people view themselves? This project takes a deep dive into self-effects research by exploring the role of social media affordances in identity shift.

  • Publication

Social Media Use & Well-Being

Is social media use beneficial or detrimental to your well-being? What are the underlying mechanisms? Various methodologies (experiment, diary study, large-scale survey) have been used to explore these questions.

  • Publication

Online Games
& Social Interaction

This line of research is conducted in close partnership with game companies to explore how players communicate, interact, and play, and its effects on well-being and social capital.

  • Publication

Gameplay & COVID-19

Does gameplay help us cope with negative moods and social isolation during the pandemic? Do the pattern and effect differ across games? This project utilizes behavioral data and survey data from two games to address this question.

  • in progress

Public Understanding of AI

How does the public make sense of AI?
This project explores how various heuristics (e.g., media framing, emotion) affect support for AI development and regulation.

  • Publication

Selected Awards, Honors, and Fellowships

  • Herbert S. Dordick Dissertation Award, Communication and Technology Division, International Communication Association (ICA), 2024 | 국제커뮤니케이션학회 커뮤니케이션 & 테크놀로지 분과 박사학위논문상
  • Doctoral Study Abroad Fellow, Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS), 2018-2023 | 한국고등교육재단 해외유학장학생
  • Annenberg Graduate Fellowship & Assistantship, University of Southern California, 2018-2023
  • USC Annenberg Graduate Fellowship Research and Creative Project Symposium Award, University of Southern California, 2022
  • Top Student Paper Award (First Author), Game Studies Division, National Communication Association (NCA), 2021 | 전미커뮤니케이션학회 게임연구 분과 우수학생논문상
  • Graduate School Travel and Research Award, University of Southern California, 2020
  • Summa Cum Laude, Seoul National University, 2016 | 최우등졸업
  • SNU Development Fund Scholarship, Seoul National University, 2013 & 2017
  • Merit-Based Scholarship, Seoul National University, 2012-2013

    • Selected Research and Travel Grants

  • Signature Research Cluster Initiative, Yonsei University, 2024
  • Future-Leading Research Initiative Grant, Yonsei University, 2024
  • New Faculty Seed Grant, Yonsei University, 2024
  • Travel Grant, Communication and Technology Division, International Communication Association (ICA), 2024
  • Doctoral Dissertation Grant, Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS), 2023
  • Doctoral Dissertation Grant, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, 2023
  • Graduate School Summer Research and Writing Grant, University of Southern California, 2022-2023
  • Summer Research Fellowship, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, 2019-2020, 2022
  • Student Caucus Travel Grant, National Communicaiton Association (NCA), 2021-2022
  • Travel Grant (Runner-Up), Korean American Communication Association (KACA), International Communication Association (ICA), 2019
  • Graduate Students Research Grant, College of Social Sciences, Seoul National University, 2018

    • Skills and Strengths

    Research

    8 years of research experience involving all phases of research--conceptualization, study design, data collection, data analysis, presentation, and publication

    Interdisciplinary research
    & Industry-academic collaboration

    Software | Language

    R, SPSS, Python, LIWC, NVivo,
    HTML, LaTeX,
    Adobe Photoshop

    Korean, English, Japanese

    Public Speaking

    MC & Moderator
    @university-wide event

    MC (In English)
    @international symposium

    Invited speaker
    @Educational Broadcasting System
    & education centers

    Expression

    Drawing | Photography | Pottery

    What I enjoy doing outside of research. Take a sneak peek into my archives!

    Urban Light at LACMA

    2019 | Photo

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    Making Pottery on the Wheel

    2019 | Pottery

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    Hanok Village, Seoul

    Drawing

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    Water Reflection

    2015 | Photo

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    Flower

    Drawing

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    Venice Beach, LA

    2019 | Photo

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