What’s My ‘Real’ Hashtag?
#TheFirst

Since joining Amorepacific, I’ve spent 13 years scientifically validating product efficacy through clinical research and communicating those results in a manner that customers can understand. If there’s one word that best describes me as a researcher, it’s “first.” I believe that brand differentiation stems from developing innovative evaluation methods that others haven’t attempted and researching skin characteristics to lend credibility to a product’s story.

In that sense, the hashtag that best represents me is #TheFirst. Creating human efficacy evaluations that have not been attempted before is a lengthy and challenging process. Still, when that effort proves a product’s value, I feel the most incredible sense of fulfillment as a researcher.

Today, I’ll unpack my work and daily life through three keywords embedded in this hashtag: #RETINOL RX^TM, IOPE’s proprietary ingredient designed from the customer’s perspective; #Silk Blouse, representing the difference that details make; and #Kettlebell, a symbol of tenacious research. Let me introduce you to the keywords that define clinical researcher Suim Jang.

Research Designed Through the Customer’s Eyes: #RETINOL RX^TM

The achievement I take the most pride in since joining Amorepacific is the world’s first comparative efficacy study of retinol by concentration. Retinol is an ingredient that generates tremendous customer interest and expectation; however, there has been no precedent for clinically tracking and analyzing concentration-based differences over an extended period. Over several years, I accumulated large-scale data and meticulously compared results under identical conditions to scientifically demonstrate the differences between concentrations. As a result, we were able to incorporate the story of prescription retinol #RETINOL RX^TM into IOPE products, elevating their value and playing a crucial role in establishing Amorepacific’s credibility as a “retinol authority.”

The value I prioritize most as a researcher is the customer perspective. Clinical data doesn’t end with simply accumulating numbers. It is meaningful only when customers can actually feel the change. That’s why, from the experimental design phase, I consider what changes users will experience and strive to communicate the results in a way that customers can understand.

MINI INTERVIEW

The Difference That Details Make: #Silk Blouse

My guiding principle is “doing what others don’t do.” That’s why I continue my research to create differentiation, even when the process is challenging. I constantly ask myself how our company’s products can stand apart from others and what kind of differentiation will elevate brand trust. That’s why I design evaluations with such rigor that people sometimes wonder if it’s really necessary to be this meticulous, and I don’t shy away from long-term analysis. It often makes things more complicated for my colleagues, but for me, it’s the most rewarding part of being a researcher.

Clinical research goes beyond simply proving efficacy—it becomes the foundation that supports product credibility. When we overlook small details, the resulting margin of error translates into perceptible differences for customers, which directly impacts brand trust. I approach these issues from the consumer’s perspective, not as a researcher, validating even the most minor details to ensure flawless data.

The #Silk Blouse I love to wear symbolizes this attitude toward my work. Just as a single sheen added to fabric changes the entire impression of a #Silk Blouse, small details in clinical testing create the difference in results. For me, detail is the only way to make that “defining difference” in a product, and the process of establishing the foundation customers need to trust and choose our products.

A Routine That Proves Tenacity: #Kettlebell

No matter how busy my day gets, I never skip my daily 30-minute workout. I once lost 30 kg in less than a year after giving birth, and even did a body profile photoshoot. This wasn’t just a diet—it was one of the most critical clinical experiments of my life. It was a process of proving to myself that I could achieve the results I wanted, even with the limited time that work and childcare allowed.

The tool that played the most significant role during this time was the #Kettlebell. #Kettlebell training, which builds stamina through repetitive movements, is an exercise that cultivates persistence. Through #Kettlebell workouts, I realized the importance of “the power to persevere until the end.” This aligns with my research philosophy. Clinical work requires adjusting variables dozens of times and repeating the same experiments endlessly to reach the desired results. Just as #Kettlebell training creates change through tenacious practice, clinical research can only approach reliable conclusions through a sustained experimental process.

Beyond that, I apply the persistence I’ve built through exercise to my work. It goes beyond simply maintaining physical fitness. The mental fortitude I gain from my daily routine becomes the driving force behind my research. For me, the #Kettlebell isn’t just workout equipment—it’s an item that symbolizes the strength to constantly challenge myself as a researcher and persevere until the end.

Suim Jang’s Recruitment Tip

To illustrate this, I’ve built my expertise by continuously studying research papers on skin science and measurement technologies alongside my team members, ensuring I stay current with the latest research trends.
Physics-based thinking, in particular, required additional study, as my background was primarily in biology and biotechnology. I acquired this knowledge through academic papers and journals. If you familiarize yourself with skin research trends before joining the company, you’ll find it much easier to quickly grasp technical terminology and related concepts after you start working.
Additionally, since this skin-related research is involves cosmetics, effective communication with customers is crucial. Staying aware of current trends that interest consumers is also important. For instance, if you’re interested in researching how skin characteristics change according to temperature and humidity, you could quickly identify current trends and pivot your research toward skin aging caused by heat and UV rays due to global warming, making it relevant to what people care about. Hence, understanding what captures people’s attention is essential. To stay attuned to trends, I believe cultivating knowledge in the humanities is valuable.