Harry Cheong

Could you share something unexpected about you?

I played games professionally before joining the Korean army!
 
Tell us a little about yourself, your personal and professional journey so far?

I started my career as an entrepreneur in the gaming and media industry. After a successful exit, I worked as a general manager in the industry for a few years. I specialised in marketing, digitalisation, eSports, and new business development. Before joining INSEAD, I went back to the company that I founded to help them navigate the COVID hardships.

Can you share a little about why you decided to pursue the MBA, and in particular, the INSEAD MBA? 

Due to my limited knowledge in a niche and homogeneous industry, I wanted to explore industries outside my reach at the time. INSEAD was the perfect choice to grow globally and be immersed in diversity.  

What are your thoughts about the class experience, professors, the curriculum so far?
 
The only business-related course I took in my undergrad was engineering economics and statistics. At first, I felt that I had to "pick up sand with my bare hands" due to the amount of the course load. After learning how to organise myself and collaborate efficiently, I’m truly enjoying the experience so far.

There are so many electives that are good, and I wish I was able to take more courses in my current period. 

Thoughts about the student body, the community?

I never experienced this kind of collaborative environment in my life. Knowing that the INSEAD community has my back is the best thing about the school.

When I received an interview invitation for an internship in a healthcare industry, I was able to set up five coffee chats with former and current professionals in the industry within a week. I am astonished by the support that I get from the cohort. 
 
Are you looking forward to anything in particular during your time on the programme? 

I am looking forward to meeting more INSEADers. I’m trying to set up three coffee chats per week, but I can’t even meet a third of my cohort at this speed. 
 
Could you share a little about your application process, securing financing, and making your way to Singapore/Fontainebleau?

My application preparation was a big hassle. I worked for 60 hours a week during the last two years of my undergrad studies and received very poor academic records due to it. My recommendation is to focus on the things you can change. You can't change your past GPA and the kind of jobs you've had, but there are many things you can do outside of these. Reflect on what you did until you started your MBA journey and show your true self to the admission officers and interviewers.

As far as campuses go, I picked Fontainebleau because I wanted to be connected to the INSEAD community without the distractions of city life. There’s a big gathering every week here where you can meet many friends.

If you could share an admissions or application tip to someone who is considering the programme, what would you say?
 
I recommend that you start talking to your recommender as soon as possible. Make sure to ask them their opinion on higher education and be as coherent as possible. You are a high achiever, and your recommender might have different expectations. You can focus on recommenders that you can trust this way.
 
Parting words of wisdom?

I chose the INSEAD MBA to explore myself, advance in my career, and to meet amazing people. Though everyone here knows that they’re not here for academic research, it’s easy to get lost with everything going on. Starting to write bullet points of the week will help you get settled.