From exchange students to corporate insiders, Smagin twins present new vision of 'Korean Dream'
The Smagin brothers hold up copies of their book, "The Korean Dream." Courtesy of Oleg and Evgenii Smagin
When Evgenii and Oleg Smagin arrived in Korea as exchange students more than a decade ago, they were struck by the country’s intensity. Everything felt fast and ambitious — a place where effort is visibly translated into progress. For the identical twins from Russia who share a passion for cutting-edge technology, Korea offered both excitement and possibility.
That first impression, however, would later deepen into something more demanding — and more transformative.
Today, the Smagin twins are the authors of "The Korean Dream," a book gaining attention among both foreign residents and Korean readers. Part memoir and part practical guide, the book traces their shared journey from international students to MBA graduates of KAIST, and eventually to professionals working at major Korean corporations such as SK Telecom and JB Financial Group. More than a success story, it offers a rare insider-outsider perspective on what it actually takes for foreigners to build long-term lives in Korea.
“Our story really became the foundation of the book,” the brothers said in a joint interview. “We weren’t just observing Korea from the outside. We were inside the system, learning how it really works.”
The cover of "The Korean Dream" by Oleg and Evgenii Smagin / Courtesy of Ynbooks
The idea for "The Korean Dream" did not begin as a publishing project. It grew organically from years of sharing their experiences online. As the brothers began writing on LinkedIn about life and work in Korea, they were surprised by the response.
“Our inboxes were filled with messages from people we had never met,” they recalled. “How do I get a job? How do I build relationships? How do I adapt culturally? How do I make Korea my home?”
Many of those conversations turned into friendships. And over time, a pattern became clear: Motivated foreigners were arriving in Korea with ambition and skills, but with little practical guidance on how to turn that motivation into a sustainable future.
“That realization was the catalyst,” they said. “Why keep this knowledge private when so many people clearly need it?”
The result was a book that distills their hard-earned lessons into a guide for others walking the same path — without shortcuts or romanticism.
In the book, the Smagin brothers describe how their views of Korea evolved after graduation, when the protective bubble of university life disappeared. While campuses offer structured environments and international communities, the professional world demanded something else entirely.
“Korea is not a country that rewards fascination alone,” they said. “It rewards commitment.”
That idea runs through "The Korean Dream." According to the authors, Korea offers opportunities not because it is easy, but because it is demanding. High standards around speed, performance and quality force individuals to grow quickly. Living close to global trendsetters in technology, entertainment and digital culture provides early exposure to change. And navigating a society built on nuance and context sharpens communication and leadership skills.
“Korea’s opportunity is about transformation,” they said. “For people willing to commit and work through discomfort, the growth you experience here is difficult to replicate elsewhere.”
At the same time, the book does not shy away from the challenges of living in Korea as a foreigner. Many systems, the brothers note, were not designed with foreigners in mind. From visas to workplace norms, navigating daily life often requires patience, resilience and a tolerance for ambiguity.
There is also the persistent perception of temporariness. Foreigners are frequently viewed as people who will eventually leave, making it harder to build long-term careers or leadership trajectories without repeatedly proving commitment.
Language adds another layer of pressure. Operating professionally in a second, third or even fourth language creates invisible cognitive and emotional strain — even when performance appears strong.
“To keep up in Korea, you can’t just match the pace — you have to run."
Despite — or perhaps because of — these challenges, "The Korean Dream" has resonated well with Korean readers. The brothers believe this is because the values they emphasize — effort, humility, persistence and long-term thinking — are very familiar.
“Korean readers recognize these values, but see them reflected through the experiences of foreigners who consciously chose to embrace them.”
Many of the pressures described in the book — intense competition, uncertainty about the future and the struggle to understand how systems truly work — also mirror what young Koreans face today. The book approaches Korea with respect and honesty, neither criticizing nor idealizing the country, a balance that has helped it connect across cultural lines.
At its core, the book argues that Korea’s growing foreign population represents not just a challenge, but an opportunity. When foreigners are given the chance to participate fully, the benefits extend beyond individuals to society and the economy as a whole.
“When people believe it’s possible to succeed here, more will try,” said one brother. “And when more people try, some will succeed in ways that benefit everyone.”
The Smagin brothers see "The Korean Dream" not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a broader conversation. They plan to continue writing, speaking and exploring how Korea can evolve as a global society while preserving the values that shaped its success.
As individuals, their future remains firmly rooted in Korea. They intend to keep contributing through work in technology, investment, education and mentorship — areas where a global perspective is increasingly essential.
“Our hope, is to help shape a Korea that is confident, open and globally connected — deeply Korean, but also a place where diverse talent can truly belong.”
In that sense, "The Korean Dream" is less about arrival than endurance — and about what becomes possible when commitment meets opportunity.
Alice Hong is a freelance writer and comedian based in Seoul. Follow her at @hippohong on Instagram.