Rakuten Symphony Korea’s HR Head Sunoa Jang sits down with us to talk about her journey, her career as a musician and the lessons learnt from mentors along the way.
I was born in Seoul and studied in both Korea and Singapore. I'm currently in the final semester of my PhD in Strategy and Management. I started out in consulting, then moved to Rakuten in Singapore. I've always been drawn to environments built around new challenges and real results, so when the chance came, I joined a global startup as it launched in Korea. I also led HR strategy at an entertainment company, helping lay the groundwork for its IPO. What ultimately drew me to Rakuten was seeing how it creates genuine innovation in new markets through Rakuten Symphony – I wanted to be part of that.
Without a doubt, the launch of Rakuten Maritime. It was never something a handful of people could pull off alone – it took many colleagues and strong leadership support to bring a brand into the world that opens a new era. Through it, I came to appreciate just how many talented people we have across Rakuten Group and Rakuten Symphony. Because everyone pushed together, we can now supply our product to some of the world's best shipyards, and we've built the foundation for much bigger business ahead. That's exactly why I'm so excited about what comes next.
Our CEO of Rakuten Symphony Korea, Ryan Son doesn't just hand you opportunities – he creates the conditions for you to grow and supports you in a way that keeps you self-motivated. I try to keep learning from that and to show up in the same way for my own team. Chris Alvis is another leader who consistently brings warmth and a genuinely friendly approach, and I'm doing my best to emulate some of his attributes in my professional life.
My primary role is Chief of Staff, and I also serve as HR Country Head. As Chief of Staff, I work closely with our BU leadership to support the achievement of our goals from a strategic, business-wide perspective – keeping our diverse portfolio of services running smoothly and aligned with where we're headed. Identifying new business opportunities and shaping the strategy behind them is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. On the HR side, I'm responsible for operating a stable corporation in Korea from a group-organization perspective. Across both roles, I'm driven to keep uncovering opportunities that help our BU grow.
I actually have two hobbies. The first is music — I'm the vocalist and synthesizer player in a band of fellow working professionals. We put on a concert once or twice a year, and our tickets always sell out! Finishing a show on stage gives me this feeling that I've accomplished everything. Preparing for a performance also teaches me a lot — about different sounds, and about collaborating with other performers as one team. That mindset turns out to be surprisingly helpful when I'm back at work. And to finish a song, you have to put in consistent practice and effort, which is a good reminder that "getting things done" is never as far away as it seems. And if there are bands at Rakuten's other country offices, I'd love to put on a show together someday — so if the right chance comes up, I'll happily send you an invitation too!
My other hobby is traveling. There's something about being in a completely new place that feels like taking on a fresh challenge, which makes every trip an exciting one. The one that stands out most in my memory is a nine-day journey across five Eastern European countries. Between the heavy rains, the flooding, and an extremely tight schedule, it was easily one of the toughest trips I've ever taken — and yet every moment of it still stays vivid with me.
Rakuten Symphony is a genuinely exciting place. The moment you decide you want to grow, opportunities start showing up all around you. You're surrounded by exceptional talent, always running together with our ‘One Team Spirit’, which makes every day feel new and exciting. So if you come in with that spirit and a real desire to grow, an amazing opportunity will find you before long. Look forward to it!
