Interview with Professor Saewoong Bahk, 2025 Order of Service Merit Recipient
"Be the Kind of Person People Want to Be With, Not Just Someone Outstanding"

▲ Professor Saewoong Bahk (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, SNU)

On May 15, during the 44th annual Teachers' Day celebration, Professor Saewoong Bahk of Seoul National University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering was honored with the Order of Service Merit (Geunjeong Medal). He received the award in recognition of his contributions to nurturing students into compassionate individuals rather than merely high achievers, as well as his generosity—donating 2% of his income to support education within the academic community.

Professor Bahk completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in Electrical Engineering at SNU and earned his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. After working at AT&T Bell Labs, he joined the faculty of his alma mater in 1994 and has since dedicated the past 30 years to education and research.

In addition to his teaching and research, Professor Bahk has made significant contributions to SNU and the development of science and technology in Korea. He has served as the Director of SNU's Center for Information Systems and Technology, President of the Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences, and Asia-Pacific Director of IEEE ComSoc. He is currently an editor for IEEE TWC, TVT, and Network Magazine and a full member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea.

To commemorate his recent award, we sat down with Professor Bahk to discuss his philosophy on education, memorable moments with students, and his ongoing efforts at the university.


Q: Congratulations on receiving the Order of Service Merit. Over the 30 years you’ve spent mentoring students since joining the faculty in 1994, what life philosophy have you consistently emphasized to them?

Bahk: “Be the kind of person people want to be with, not just someone outstanding.” Everyone strives to become someone outstanding, someone everyone wants to work with. But becoming a person others simply want to be around often feels like a disadvantage—so many choose not to aim for it. In reality, those who are ‘wanted’ by others often live sacrificially. But I believe that’s the essence of true leadership.

When you share what you have and support those who are struggling, you often find others stepping in to help you do more than you thought you could. Yes, there will be people who try to take advantage of your kindness, but there are also those who sincerely support you. And in those moments, a deep joy emerges from within.

If you think you have nothing to give, you’ll live your life in poverty and pity. But the moment you give—even a little—you become rich. Living with the heart of a giver brings peace and inner joy, and that in turn brightens the world around us. So I believe a person who chooses to be someone others want to be with has already received plenty in return.


Q: You’ve received numerous awards, including SNU Engineering’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2010 and 2024, and the Distinguished Achievement Award in 2014. Among your many students, is there a particular story that stands out?

Bahk: Early in my career at SNU, I had a policy where students whose phones rang during class had to stand at the back of the room as a minor penalty. One day, a student not only answered their phone but then left the classroom to meet a friend. I was faced with a dilemma—how should I respond?

After much thought, I called the student aside. Instead of scolding him harshly, I gently talked things through. Maybe because of that, we developed a lasting relationship. I later wrote him a recommendation letter for his studies abroad and advised him on major life decisions. A few years ago, he returned to SNU—not as a student, but as a fellow professor. We now enjoy working together as colleagues.


Q: You currently serve as Director of the "e-SaengSaeng Student Center" in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. With students today facing more social and emotional challenges, what was the motivation behind the center’s founding, and what is its main role?

Bahk: In the early 2000s, we experienced a heartbreaking trend: one student from our department died by suicide each year. These were not just students struggling academically—some had previously excelled and gone on to prestigious schools abroad.

Recognizing the urgent need to support student well-being, our department established the e-SaengSaeng Student Center. Though operated at the departmental level, we staffed it with a full-time psychological counselor and administrative support. We proactively monitor students for signs of distress and offer counseling for mental health and career guidance. For graduate students, in particular, who often face conflicts with their advisors, we provide in-depth counseling and support.


Q: As director of the center, you must have heard many personal stories that students might not easily share elsewhere. What have you learned from those experiences, and what keeps you committed to this role?

Bahk: Students who enter SNU were once at the top of their class. They study with passion, driven by the joy of learning. But in university, the competition intensifies, and only a few remain top performers. The rest struggle, lose motivation, and begin questioning their aptitude and future.

I’ve witnessed many students go through this difficult transition. Their bright eyes from freshman year grow dim with time, and their confidence wanes. I've often felt heartbroken watching them. That’s why the e-SaengSaeng Center matters. It brings me great fulfillment to help students—especially those no longer academically ‘outstanding’—discover their unique strengths and lead meaningful lives. Even if their eyes don’t sBahkle the way they used to, I see a different kind of clarity—an inner calm and acceptance. That’s when I’m reminded just how precious each individual is.


Q: Your journey will surely serve as a compass for younger faculty at SNU Engineering. What advice would you offer to professors who are now fully immersed in teaching and research?

Bahk: Both education and research are crucial for professors, but I want to emphasize that they are not the same—and that teaching is just as valuable as research.

Research is about delivering results that outshine others. Education, on the other hand, is about helping students grow into responsible and ethical individuals in society. It’s easy to focus on research because results are visible in the short term. But teaching, especially when it involves nurturing character and values, doesn’t show immediate outcomes—and it’s often overlooked.

Still, if our goal is to teach students the joy of living together and supporting one another, then we as professors must enjoy the process of teaching—without being obsessed with outcomes. Yes, students vary in ability, and it can be tough to stay motivated when some fall behind. But by valuing each student and walking alongside them, we teach by example. Through us, they learn what truly matters. When we focus on developing students into people others want to be with, education becomes just as rewarding and exciting as research. That’s something I hope every professor will remember.