Kwak Jung-eun, head of Meditation Lab and a well-known journalist, author, and broadcaster, has joined the Hanyang University Graduate School of Counseling Psychology this semester as an adjunct professor. She is teaching a special course, ‘Mindfulness Psychology,’ which combines psychology and Buddhist philosophy.

“I am deeply honored to teach at my alma mater, where I earned my master's degree in adult counseling,” she said. “I've never set a specific goal to teach at a university, but once it began, I realized this is exactly the path I dreamed of.”

Kwak showed her gift in writing and essay composition as early as high school, frequently winning awards in newspaper essay contests and becoming certain that her career would revolve around writing. In 2002, she began her career as a magazine journalist. However, her job was more than just writing—it meant meeting countless people every month and arranging interviews and photo shoots with celebrities, which was often demanding responsibility.

Despite the challenges, 토토 바카라 passion for writing never waned. In 2009, she published 토토 바카라 first book, Cinderella's Glass Slipper Was a Strategy, a practical guide on relationships, which quickly became a bestseller within a month of release and led to appearances on various radio and television programs. 토토 바카라 went on to publish several more works and gained national popularity through JTBC's variety show Witch Hunt.

Her career path—from journalist to author and broadcaster—was driven by small acts of courage. “Rather than pursuing big ambitions, I was driven by immersion and enthusiasm for what I loved. Whenever something attracted my heart, I thought, “Regardless of the outcome, it's worth trying once,” she recalled.

She admitted that moments of fear always accompanied new challenges. Thirteen years as a journalist, often facing incidents and accidents, made her accustomed to uncertainty. “Whether it was starting my career as a broadcaster or giving my first public lectures, I always felt anxious, wondering, ‘What if I fail?’ But my curiosity about life and determination to trust myself were even stronger,” she said.

As she quickly rose to public attention, she also faced diverse reactions. “Some people applauded my words, while others criticized them harshly,” she said. “It was the growing pain that naturally came from stepping out of being an ordinary employee into a public figure. The key wasn’t reacting to public praise or criticism, but determining what I found meaningful.” She added, “Public opinion is external. What brings me satisfaction and value is internal—and for true happiness, I learned to focus more on these internal conditions.”

Kwak recalled a difficult chapter of her life from ten years ago: “I was living intensely, but nothing seemed to go right. I felt like I suddenly fell from midair,” she said. Although she had spent years lecturing about “how to win others’ hearts,” she realized she had never truly examined her own mind. This insight led her to a meditation retreat in India, where she spent a week learning meditation. The experience sparked her deep interest in studying the mind.

In 2018, she entered Hanyang University’s Graduate School of Counseling Psychology. Balancing work during the day and classes at night was far from easy. “Classes started at 6:30 p.m. and finished past nine. Managing work and study at the same time often brought me to tears,” she shared. While exhausting, she described those years as an invaluable period of perseverance and growth.

Her master's studies laid the foundation for further exploration. Kwak pursued a Ph.D. in Seon(Zen) Studies at Dongguk University, researching Buddhist scriptures and delving deeper into meditation and the human mind. “Approaching meditation through psychology made me want to study Buddhist philosophy more deeply,” she said. “Without completing my master's degree, I wouldn't even have imagined going on to a doctorate. My background in psychology helped me compare and integrate both disciplines.”

Ultimately, 토토 바카라 study of psychology was not just an academic track, but it was also a turning point that redefined 토토 바카라 life and career, allowing 토토 바카라 to grow into a scholar and professor whose journey began from personal adversity.

Although better known as a broadcaster and author, Professor Kwak has recently built a new identity as a counseling psychologist and educator. How does she define 토토 바카라self across such diverse fields?

“When you try to define yourself as a noun, constant conflict and anxiety can arise in your mind,” she said, reflecting on her own experience. Kwak has held various titles—broadcaster, professor, author—but each role involves different environments, people, and required expertise. 

“What matters most is to define your life not as a noun, but as a verb,”she emphasized. Instead of being confined by the job titles, she believes people should focus on what they do and what values they embody. “To focus on the direction of your life—what you want to share and express—you must be able to describe yourself with verbs.”

She defines herself with the phrase ‘Learn and Share,’ seeing herself as someone who learns and gives back by sharing. This philosophy has been the constant thread through all her careers—writing articles as a journalist to share knowledge, and communicating her experiences as a media personality. “Jobs may change, but learning and sharing remain as the essence of my life,” she said.

Her ‘Mindfulness Psychology’ course at Hanyang University reflects her unique academic path crossing psychology and Buddhist philosophy. “Thanks to my background in both counseling psychology and Buddhist studies, I was able to design a course integrating both fields,” she explained. “Rather than simply teaching theoretical concepts, I aim to help students develop an ability of self-observation and application in real counseling settings.”

The opportunity to grow with students over a 15-week semester brings her great joy. “Unlike one-time guest lectures, I now meet my master’s students weekly for four months pursuing genuine academic dialogue. Being able to take on the role of teaching makes me truly happy,” she said. She even named her role as a professor her calling, eagerly anticipating her Tuesday classes.

She also spoke candidly about her personal life. “Although I don’t have a conventional family, my students and fellow seekers of knowledge are my family,” she said. “Just as the word ‘professional’ in Korean includes the Chinese character for family (家), I believe family isn't only about blood-related bonds but also about shared growth and learning.”

Professor Kwak concluded with a message for Hanyang students: “It’s important to understand who you are—what you like and dislike—and to take responsibility for your own growth rather than relying on parents or society. Only those who continue exploring themselves can truly grasp the root meaning of happiness and live more abundantly. I hope every Hanyangian keeps curiosity alive—both about themselves and the world.”