Why I Became a Lawyer: A Personal Journey
In the early 2000s, I was a solid student—but not an exceptional one. My academic performance was consistently good, but never outstanding enough to guarantee admission to the top-tier SKY universities (Seoul National, Korea, and Yonsei). After failing to get into those schools, I enrolled at Sogang University in 2001, partially justified by my Catholic faith.
I chose economics simply because it matched my entrance exam scores. But as I began my studies, I found the subject unengaging. The lectures relied heavily on abstract assumptions and lacked practical relevance. I struggled to connect with the material and began to question the direction I was heading in.
Then, I attended a course called “Introduction to Law” by Professor Jeong Ha-joong. That class was eye-opening. The concepts were immediately applicable to everyday life, and the idea of interpreting laws and precedents felt practical and impactful. I was drawn to the clarity and structure of legal reasoning and thought, for the first time, that law might be my calling.
However, the path to becoming a lawyer in Korea was daunting. At the time, it required passing the National Judicial Examination—an extremely competitive test with a notoriously low pass rate. Even top students from Seoul National University often failed. I honestly didn’t believe I had the intelligence, discipline, or ability to pass it.
But I also realized that if I could somehow become a stronger person—mentally and emotionally—I might stand a chance.
Military Service and Mental Growth
In July 2003, I was fortunate to be accepted into KATUSA (Korean Augmentation to the United States Army). Rather than choosing a comfortable administrative post in Yongsan, I volunteered for combat service. For two years, I trained and served with U.S. soldiers, taking on leadership roles and pushing myself through rigorous conditions. It was a formative experience that helped me build mental resilience.
Even after my discharge, I felt I wasn’t yet ready. So in November 2005, I traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, to work and save money for my exam preparation. I took jobs in restaurants and other service positions. During that year, I questioned myself every night—was it really possible for me to pass the Judicial Exam? For the most part, my answer was pessimistic.
But one realization changed my perspective. As I repeated certain tasks in the kitchen, I noticed how much I improved with practice. Repetition brought mastery. This made me think: perhaps legal study could be the same.
Returning to Korea and Committing Fully
As soon as I returned to Korea, I prepared for the entrance test to join a “gosi-ban,” a study dormitory for exam candidates. I was barely accepted in November 2006. From that point on, I studied around 15 hours a day. Surprisingly, I found joy in the process. Compared to working in Alaska, sitting at a desk and learning was a privilege. I wasn’t naturally gifted, but I was determined.
In February 2008, I took my first attempt at the first stage of the Judicial Exam and failed. Still, I improved steadily and began ranking first in mock exams within the gosi-ban. I passed the first stage in 2009, though I didn’t pass the second stage later that year.
Then came 2010—the most difficult year of my journey.
As I prepared to retake the second stage, the psychological pressure became overwhelming. Ten days before the exam, I developed a handwriting problem due to stress. I couldn’t write properly, and the exam was entirely handwritten. I failed again. It was devastating.
But I started over.
In 2011, I passed the first stage again. And in June that year, I finally passed the second stage on my third attempt.
The Finish Line
In February 2012, I entered the Judicial Research and Training Institute. I officially became a licensed attorney in February 2014.
My journey to becoming a lawyer was long and difficult, marked by self-doubt, hard physical labor, and intense study. But it was also a journey of growth. I didn’t achieve this through genius or luck—but through persistence, resilience, and a belief that effort, over time, can transform a person.
