People

Principal Investigator / Lab Director

• 
  Incheol Choi Incheol Choi is professor in the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University and director of the Center for Happiness Studies at Seoul National University. He received his PhD in social psychology at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.

Ph.D. Candidate

• 
  Sumin Jung Sumin Jung is a doctoral student in Social Psychology at Seoul National University, starting in Fall 2025. Their research focuses on how individuals can be motivated to adopt well-being behaviors in organizations and daily life, and whether such behaviors improve actual well-being. They received their B.A. and M.A. in Psychology from Seoul National University, where their master’s thesis examined why happy people tend to exercise more. Before starting the Ph.D., they studied the psychophysiological effects of emotion goals in emotion regulation. They are also a product manager and researcher at Dr. Choi’s GoodLife Lab, developing and delivering employee well-being and leadership programs for major Korean corporations.

Master's Candidate

• 
  Younkyung Choi As a partner at early-stage investment firm Mashup Angels, Younkyung led investments in various startups. Through meetings with thousands of founders, she witnessed how individual motivation and growth impact entire organizations, which sparked her interest in social psychological research on 'sustainable motivation.' Currently, she aims to study how cultural backgrounds and personality traits influence individual motivation, seeking practical intervention strategies that can contribute to personal growth and positive social change.

• 
  Sun Yun Sun is a first-year graduate student in the Social Psychology Lab at Seoul National University. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Seoul National University, with a minor in Anthropology. Her research focuses on intergroup relations and social bias. She is particularly interested in diverse group dynamics (e.g., intergroup conflict, intraminority relations, allyship) and how they interact with cognitive and emotional processes (e.g., misattribution, mixed emotions). Through her research, Sun aims to better understand intergroup dynamics that go beyond surface-level interactions.

• 
  Jiu Son Jiu Son is a master’s student in Psychology at Seoul National University, with a background in Nursing (B.A., SNU) and professional experience as a neurology nurse at Samsung Medical Center. Her research focuses on positive social psychology, particularly Flow, as well as tolerance and acceptance in interpersonal relationships, the intersection of sports and positive psychology, and the psychological mechanisms of addiction. She is broadly interested in understanding how individuals achieve happiness and adapt effectively across diverse contexts.

• 
  Eehjoon Kwon Eehjoon Kwon is a second-year M.A. student in Professor Choi’s lab, specializing in career choice, workplace happiness, and prosociality. After completing her B.A. in Economics at Harvard, she began her career as a strategy consultant. When the role didn’t ignite her passion, she embarked on a journey of exploration, taking on diverse roles as a project manager, barista, instructor, and career coach. Each experience deepened her understanding of what it means to find fulfillment at work. Now, through her research, she hopes to uncover insights that empower others to create meaningful and satisfying career paths.

• 
  Joo Yong Kim Joo Yong Kim is a second-year graduate student in Social Psychology at Seoul National University (SNU). She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management, both from SNU. Her research focuses on the socioecological environment's influence on human well-being and residential mobility. Passionate about applying psychological insights to enhance living and working conditions worldwide, she is particularly dedicated to supporting underrepresented and overlooked communities. Joo Yong also explores topics such as facilitation, cultural differences, and human-centered design, aiming to provide meaningful contributions to these fields.

• 
  Yoonjoo Lee Yoonjoo Lee is a Master’s candidate in the Integrated M.A./Ph.D. Program in Social Psychology at Seoul National University. Her research interests include mindfulness, social class, and materialism. She also investigates how the mindfulness of supervisors and caregivers influences those under their care. By integrating these themes, she aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how mindfulness can promote well-being across different social contexts.

• 
  Yoonjin Lee Yoonjin Lee is a fourth-semester master’s student in Social Psychology at Seoul National University. She completed her undergraduate degree in Linguistics. Before starting her graduate studies, Yoonjin gained marketing experience at LG Household & Health Care and Estee Lauder Companies Korea. Her research focuses on improving the well-being of elderly and retired individuals, and she aims to provide insights that enhance their quality of life and overall happiness.

Alumni

• 
  Chaelynn Baek ● B.A. in Psychology, Yonsei University
  ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2025.08.)

• 
  Chaewoo Lim ● B.S. in Biological Sciences & Psychology, Sungkyunkwan University (2023)
  ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2025.08.)

• 
  Soeun (Sarah) Lee ● B.S. in Social/Personality Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2025.08.)

• 
  Taegyung Gahng ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2004)
  ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2025.02.)
  ● Current position: Researcher at the Korea Institute of Criminology and Justice (KICJ)

• 
  Xyle Ku ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2014)
  ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2025.02.)
  ● Current position: Assistant professor at Korea Military Academy

• 
  Jiyoun Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2022)

• 
  Young Joo Jun ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2022)

• 
  정지정 ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2022)

• 
  Soolim Kim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2020)

• 
  Yuhyung Choi ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2019)

• 
  김성진 ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2019)

• 
  Mina Jyung ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2018)
  ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2022)

• 
  Jinhyun Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2018)

• 
  Eunbin O ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2018)

• 
  Joshua Auren K Fuller ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2018)

• 
  In Taek Yeo ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2017)

• 
  Eunju Son ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2016)

• 
  Soojung Na ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2016)

• 
  Jaekyung Yu ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2015)

• 
  Hyewon Oh ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2015)

• 
  Emily K. Hong ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2014)
  ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Queen's University (2019)

• 
  Sarah Lim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2014)
  ● Ph.D. in Management, Cornell University (2021)
  ● Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

• 
  Jennifer Hyunji Kim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2014)

• 
  Yuri Kwon ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2014)
  ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2022)

• 
  Jongan Choi ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2013)
  ● Current position: Assistant Professor, Kangwon National University

• 
  임호성 ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2013)

• 
  Seulgi Park ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2013)

• 
  Minsoo Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2012)

• 
  BoKyung Park ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2012)
  ● Ph.D. in Affective Science, Stanford University (2017)
  ● Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas)

• 
  Bora Min ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2012)

• 
  Jumi Kim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2012)

• 
  Jiyeon Lim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2011)

• 
  심윤지 ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2011)

• 
  Jinhyung Kim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2011)
  ● Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology, Texas A&M University (2018)
  ● Current position: Associate Professor, Sogang University

• 
  Hyunjung Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2010)

• 
  Sunhae Sul ● Ph.D. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2010)
  ● Current position: Associate Professor, Pusan National University

• 
  Pyungwon Kang ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2010)

• 
  Minha Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2008)

• 
  Hee Wan Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2007)

• 
  Jong Min Kim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2007)

• 
  Youngrong Kim ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2007)

• 
  최수영 ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2006)

• 
  Jiyoung Park ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2006)
  ● Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Michigan (2012)
  ● Current position: Associate Professor, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

• 
  Suhyun Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2005)

• 
  Jinkyung Na ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2005)
  ● Ph.D. in Social Psychology, University of Michigan (2011)
  ● Current position: Professor, Sogang University

• 
  Jisun Park ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2004)
  ● Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY (2009)
  ● Current position: Professor, Sookmyung Women's University

• 
  박양순 ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2004)

• 
  Minkyung Koo ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2004)

• 
  Jinhee Choi ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2003)
  ● Ph.D. in Behavioral Science, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (2009)
  ● Current position: Professor, Korea University

• 
  Jeonghee Jin ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2003)

• 
  Jongtaek Lee ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2003)

• 
  Seungho Shin ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2002)

• 
  Hyekyung Park ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2002)
  ● Ph.D. in Social Psychology, University of Michigan (2007)
  ● Current position: Professor, Sungshin Women's University

• 
  Yi-Moon Choi ● M.A. in Psychology, Seoul National University (2001)
  ● Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2013)
  ● Current position: Professor, Korean National Police University