18 August 2026
For this Dominican beauty magazine manager, Korea is a beautiful place to innovate
Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea
About
[Hired in Korea]
As more internationals look to build careers in Korea, many find themselves facing practical hurdles — from limited guidance to a lack of firsthand experience. To bridge that gap, the Korea JoongAng Daily talks with professionals who have carved out their paths in diverse fields, offering readers real-world insights on how to start their careers in the country in this series "Hired in Korea."
While taking part in a global business program in Austria, Coral Virginia Ortiz Estevez from the Dominican Republic realized Korea could be the ideal place to build her career.
Drawn to the country's growing influence in advertising and branding, she saw it as the perfect fit for her wide-ranging interests in marketing, media relations and design.
"At the time, in 2018, Korea was already emerging as a global leader in innovation and branding," Ortiz Estevez said in an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily. "So, I thought Korea would be a great place for people who enjoy exploring new things to take on a new challenge."
"Now, I'm glad to be involved in so many different projects and to be part of the industry's growth and development."
The Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with Ortiz Estevez to learn more about her journey, the challenges of building a career in Korea as a foreign professional and her advice for others hoping to do the same.
What kind of company is Picky?
Broadly speaking, Picky is a platform that connects a global community of beauty creators with Korean beauty brands.
One of our main focuses is running campaigns that bring creators and brands together, giving emerging creators and companies opportunities to grow, gain exposure and collaborate in the beauty industry.
Picky also runs a beauty review platform, product discovery app and consumer community.
What is your role there?
I work as the brand manager for Picky Club Magazine, overseeing everything from the magazine's initial concept to its distribution.
My role includes developing editorial ideas, reaching out to creators, directing photo shoots and collaborating with the team on merchandise.
A big part of my job is communicating with creators to better understand their needs. I also research industry trends and the skills creators are likely to need in the future so we can help creators and brands grow together within the beauty industry.
We launched the magazine because we saw a need for a platform where creators could not only showcase themselves to a global audience but also continue learning, growing and gaining a better understanding of what the market is looking for. We wanted it to be both a source of inspiration and a practical resource for creators.
Did you have any additional training, internships or certifications that helped prepare you for your career?
Before coming to Korea, I joined a global business program in Austria.
There were 42 participants from 22 countries, and I think that experience really shaped the way I see the world. It taught me to look at things from an international perspective, understand different cultures, and think about how a brand can succeed in different markets.
It also strengthened my ability to adapt, and I think that's one of my biggest strengths. Many international students and professionals have that same advantage, and it's valuable not only for them but also for companies. That's one of the reasons Picky hires so many international employees.
About half of the team is made up of people from overseas.
Any academic tips?
I think the most important thing is to look at the curriculum and make sure it matches your goals and the way you want to grow.
I chose Chung-Ang University's Master of Business Administration program because the curriculum there seemed more connected to entertainment and media.
When I looked at the syllabus, I felt it aligned more closely with what I was looking for, and I'm really glad I chose that university.
You should also consider whether it is the kind of environment you want to...
As more internationals look to build careers in Korea, many find themselves facing practical hurdles — from limited guidance to a lack of firsthand experience. To bridge that gap, the Korea JoongAng Daily talks with professionals who have carved out their paths in diverse fields, offering readers real-world insights on how to start their careers in the country in this series "Hired in Korea."
While taking part in a global business program in Austria, Coral Virginia Ortiz Estevez from the Dominican Republic realized Korea could be the ideal place to build her career.
Drawn to the country's growing influence in advertising and branding, she saw it as the perfect fit for her wide-ranging interests in marketing, media relations and design.
"At the time, in 2018, Korea was already emerging as a global leader in innovation and branding," Ortiz Estevez said in an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily. "So, I thought Korea would be a great place for people who enjoy exploring new things to take on a new challenge."
"Now, I'm glad to be involved in so many different projects and to be part of the industry's growth and development."
The Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with Ortiz Estevez to learn more about her journey, the challenges of building a career in Korea as a foreign professional and her advice for others hoping to do the same.
What kind of company is Picky?
Broadly speaking, Picky is a platform that connects a global community of beauty creators with Korean beauty brands.
One of our main focuses is running campaigns that bring creators and brands together, giving emerging creators and companies opportunities to grow, gain exposure and collaborate in the beauty industry.
Picky also runs a beauty review platform, product discovery app and consumer community.
What is your role there?
I work as the brand manager for Picky Club Magazine, overseeing everything from the magazine's initial concept to its distribution.
My role includes developing editorial ideas, reaching out to creators, directing photo shoots and collaborating with the team on merchandise.
A big part of my job is communicating with creators to better understand their needs. I also research industry trends and the skills creators are likely to need in the future so we can help creators and brands grow together within the beauty industry.
We launched the magazine because we saw a need for a platform where creators could not only showcase themselves to a global audience but also continue learning, growing and gaining a better understanding of what the market is looking for. We wanted it to be both a source of inspiration and a practical resource for creators.
Did you have any additional training, internships or certifications that helped prepare you for your career?
Before coming to Korea, I joined a global business program in Austria.
There were 42 participants from 22 countries, and I think that experience really shaped the way I see the world. It taught me to look at things from an international perspective, understand different cultures, and think about how a brand can succeed in different markets.
It also strengthened my ability to adapt, and I think that's one of my biggest strengths. Many international students and professionals have that same advantage, and it's valuable not only for them but also for companies. That's one of the reasons Picky hires so many international employees.
About half of the team is made up of people from overseas.
Any academic tips?
I think the most important thing is to look at the curriculum and make sure it matches your goals and the way you want to grow.
I chose Chung-Ang University's Master of Business Administration program because the curriculum there seemed more connected to entertainment and media.
When I looked at the syllabus, I felt it aligned more closely with what I was looking for, and I'm really glad I chose that university.
You should also consider whether it is the kind of environment you want to...