In line with global business expansion, LG Chem is running the Global Mobility program to enable outstanding talents from its overseas subsidiaries to gain diverse experiences and strengthen their capabilities by working at the headquarters. Through this program, local talents can enhance not only their technological expertise, but also their global communication skills and understanding of the organization.

Currently at LG Chem’s Osan CS Campus in Korea, Professional Jang Jibin from the Guangzhou site is working under the Global Mobility program. In this interview, he shares his firsthand experience with the program, insights into his work, and the personal growth and changes he has encountered while living in Korea.

Q. Hello! Please introduce yourself.

Hello, my name is Jang Jibin, and I have been with LG Chem since 2006. This marks my 19th year at the company, during which I’ve gained diverse experience across departments including Technology, CDC, Production, and TS. Now, through the Global Mobility program, I’m working in Korea. I sincerely thank the company and our leaders for granting me this valuable opportunity.

Q. How did you get to work in Korea?

LG Chem operates the Global Mobility program to nurture talents from its overseas subsidiaries. I was recommended by the Guangzhou site in China and was given the opportunity to work in Korea for a year and a half. Without the institutional support from the company and the encouragement of my family, it would have been a difficult decision to make.

Q. What is your current role?

Currently, I’m working on a PC compound-related project at the Engineering Materials Division, based at the Osan CS Campus. My main responsibilities include learning the GPLM system* and the UL Yellow Card** certification process. In addition, I’m studying the characteristics of raw materials and additives, and actively participating in a development project based on this knowledge. Smooth communication with leaders of the headquarters and improving my Korean language skills are also important aspects of my current role.

*GPLM (Global Product Lifecycle Management) is an integrated system that manages the entire lifecycle of a product, from planning and development to production, sales, and after-sales service.
**UL Yellow Card Certification is an official certificate issued by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a U.S.-based safety certification body, verifying the safety and quality of plastic raw materials.

Q. What do you like most about working in Korea?

In the past, whenever technical issues arose, I had to communicate with the headquarters team solely through email. This often took a lot of time, and sometimes I couldn’t fully grasp the issues. But now, whenever I have questions, I can directly ask my mentor or nearby colleagues, which makes work much more efficient. Above all, my teammates have been incredibly warm, patient, and supportive. Thanks to them, I don’t feel lonely even though I’m far from home.

Another aspect I really appreciated was the team outing culture. Our leaders organized various gatherings, which helped me build closer relationships with my colleagues and naturally experience Korean culture along the way.

Q. What are some differences you’ve noticed between Korean and Chinese work cultures?

I also found it unique that the whole team goes out for lunch together every day. It really showed a strong sense of teamwork and community, as everyone looked out for one another and made sure no one was left behind.

Q. How do you think your experience working in Korea will impact your future career?

Before coming to Korea, I lacked a full understanding of the GPLM system, the new development process. As a result, I often had to rely on the headquarters for support and couldn’t prepare adequately in advance, which affected overall work efficiency. Now, having gained a thorough understanding of the process, I’m able to respond more proactively. When I return to the Guangzhou site, I hope to share this knowledge and provide efficient training to my colleagues, helping to shorten development timelines and improve our responsiveness to customer needs.

Moreover, working at the Osan CS Campus gave me the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding researchers and handle most tasks independently. These experiences have significantly contributed to my technical growth, and I believe they will enable me to respond to customer needs more quickly and accurately in the future.

Additionally, over the past six months, with the guidance of my mentor and colleagues, I’ve come to deeply understand how experimental environments and specific conditions can significantly affect results. Moving forward, I aim to apply these insights to conduct more precise and reliable experiments.

Above all, I’m confident that the professional network I’ve built during my time in the Global Mobility program will be a valuable asset in my future career.

Q. Is there a memorable episode from your time working in Korea?

I especially remember the day when the first snow fell last winter. After work, my mentor treated me to chicken and beer, and we enjoyed a warm, memorable evening watching the snow together.

Another unforgettable moment was when I told my colleagues that I once walked five hours round trip from my home to the office over the weekend. Everyone was so surprised and amused, and it was a fun experience for me.

Q. Was there any aspect of Korean culture that left a strong impression on you?

I experienced many cultural differences while living in Korea. For example, in China, it’s common to give wedding gifts in red envelopes, whereas in Korea, white envelopes are typically used, which really stood out to me.

I was also surprised to see that many Koreans enjoy cold drinks all year round, even in the snowy winter. Another interesting difference was the preference for splitting the bill rather than having one person treat the whole group.

Q. Could you give us a brief introduction to the Guangzhou site?

LG Chem Guangzhou is a wholly owned subsidiary under the Engineering Materials (EM) Division. Established in 2002, it is located in Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China. With an annual production capacity of over 60,000 tons, it is the largest overseas production site for engineering plastics within the Engineering Materials Division.

Q. Back at Guangzhou site, which team at headquarters did you communicate with the most?

I’ve worked in several departments, and during my time in the CDC department, I communicated most frequently with the CDC team at headquarters. Later, when I was in the TS department, I mainly worked with the R&D team at headquarters.

Q. Were you always interested in working in Korea?

Yes. In 2008, I had the opportunity to undergo a one-month training program with the CDC team at the Iksan plant. I was deeply impressed by the warm welcome I received from the Korean leaders and colleagues, and ever since then, I’ve hoped to have the chance to work in Korea again.

Q. What were the challenges of staying in Korea?

At first, I wasn’t very familiar with my colleagues, and the language barrier made communication difficult. However, over time, I became more comfortable with the environment and my role. As my Korean skills gradually improved, I started communicating with the team much more confidently and comfortably.

Q. What changes do you anticipate when you return to China?

My specific role after returning to China hasn’t been decided yet, but I believe the skills I’ve gained and the network I’ve built here in Korea will be a great asset to my work. Now that I feel more confident communicating with the Korean headquarters, I hope to serve as a strong bridge between the Guangzhou site, headquarters, and our customers.

Q. Lastly, is there anything you’d like to share?

Although I tend to be a bit shy, I truly enjoy spending time with people. I hope my leaders and colleagues will feel free to reach out to me anytime. I’m always happy to talk or share a meal together. Above all, I sincerely thank my mentor, the leaders, and all my colleagues who made this entire experience possible.

Q. Is there anything you’d like to say to your mentor?

Mentor Choi Jong-guk has not only guided me professionally but also provided tremendous support in my daily life in Korea. Mentor Choi, thank you so much for everything you’ve done. To me, you are both a teacher and a true friend. I sincerely hope our connection continues for many years to come, and that our friendship lasts well into the future.

I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the leaders and colleagues at the Osan CS Campus for treating me with such warmth and making me feel like part of a family.

Through this interview, we’ve seen that the Global Mobility program is more than just an expatriate assignment. It is a meaningful stepping stone for nurturing true global talent. Professional Jang Jibin has not only deepened his technical expertise but also gained cultural insight and broadened his perspective through relationships with diverse colleagues. Now, he is preparing to return to the field, ready to make a positive impact on both customers and the organization.

LG Chem will continue to support Professional Jang Jibin as he advances on his global career journey.