Team Nova Korea: Inside Stories of Innovation, Passion, and Team Spirit

The heart of Nova Korea lies in the people who drive its success.
Every employee’s experience is different, but the passion and drive are the same.
Nova Korea employees have faced challenges, embraced new opportunities, and grown into leaders in their fields.
These stories capture the essence of what it means to be part of a team that’s always striving to learn, grow, and push boundaries.

Hyerim Kim, Senior Service Coordinator, panelist in Nova Korea’s Women’s Day panel

Hyerim, since starting at Nova in 2019, what big obstacles have you faced and what helped you overcome them? Since starting at Nova in 2019, the challenges I faced, especially those stemming from management changes, seemed daunting at first. However, these obstacles became steppingstones for personal and professional development. I cultivated self-reliance and a sense of responsibility, learning to independently manage my tasks and time. By setting goals and collaborating with my team, I improved my problem-solving skills, embodying the saying, 'Give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.' Instead of dwelling on the uncontrollable, I embraced the opportunity to drive change, furthering my capabilities. Nova's support and emphasis on positive communication have been instrumental in this journey, showing me the value of empowerment through teamwork. This approach has not only enabled me to overcome challenges but has also opened doors to continuous learning and growth.

Dean Doo, Sales Manager, Nova Korea

“I joined Nova in 2010 as a service engineer, diving into the technical side of our operations. Over the past 13 years, I've served as a service leader and service manager, and as of January this year I shifted to the sales team and am currently dedicated to driving Noa’s business forward. When I joined I was much more introverted and shy, however, my experience at Nova has transformed me. Through my work and team activities at Nova, I have improved my social skills, and I have come to empathize with Nova's values and goals. This increased my passion for Nova’s technology and for making our customers satisfied with our service. After many years in the service field, I wanted to explore new challenges and utilize my new skill set. I was fortunate to get the support of my managers who believed in me and thought that my deep understanding of our products and customers' needs would be exactly what is required for a sales position. This proved itself since the transition to sales felt like a natural progression. When I joined Nova I sought an environment where hard work was recognized and rewarded. Being part of Nova for more than 13 years speaks volumes about how much I enjoy working here.”

Ethan Choi, DMD Application Engineer, Nova Korea

“I nearly missed out on a fantastic opportunity simply because I was feeling tired! 😊 During my studies in applied physics at the university, after a tiring day, I just wanted to go home. But a friend mentioned a lecture offering free snacks, and as a student I couldn’t say no to free snack. Little did I know, it would lead me to Nova Korea's campus tour. The seminar opened my eyes to the growth potential Nova offered. Suddenly, I could envision a future with so many professional and personal possibilities. In my final semester, I remembered Nova and I found the HR manager's business card that was handed out during the tour. I decided to give her a call and to my delight, there was an opening for a fresh-out-of-college physicist! Now, as a DMD application engineer for Nova Elipson, I'm just getting started. What struck me most as a newbie was the company culture—everyone's friendly, always willing to lend a hand, regardless of the task. My goal is to become an expert in my field and be someone others can always depend on, both at work and at home. Nova is where I see this happening.”

Yvonne Kim EHS Specialist Nova Korea

Yvonne, If you could give an advice to any woman striving for excellence- what would it be?

“Women have a lot of prejudice about their ability when they start a job, yet there is nothing that they can’t do.

When I first joined Nova Korea, I had the impression that there are many EHS specialists all over the world and many female leaders among them. And rather than thinking with such prejudice that it is not possible, I now believe we should challenge this by encouraging more women to get a license in the field or develop other specialties.”

Darren Kim- CMD Sales Manager, Nova Korea

“I have to admit that I was surprised by how much effort Nova put into the ancosys team, when we first joined forces. It was this that made me want to stay as part of the company and grow with it. Nova’s vision resonates with my vision and I often find myself thinking: ‘how can I contribute more to Nova’s success’.

Being part of Nova has really helped me grow; I've been through training sessions on topics like DEIB and leadership, which made me see things in a new light. I enjoy the team spirit here where there is a lot of responsibility on each and everyone of us. The move to the new office did us a lot of good. We work in a very convenient and beautiful environment where we have room to work together and deepen our professional relationship across the different teams and departments.

One driving force for me is remembering a particular manager from my past who really believed in me personally. His belief in my abilities always pushes me to aim higher. Now, connecting with the current leadership at Nova, I find their values and vision resonating deeply with me. It's like carrying forward that initial trust and proving it right, not just to honor his belief but also to align with our current team's direction and goals.

For me, there's no separating my success from Nova's success. We're in this together, and every win for Nova feels like a personal victory.”

Kyoungsu Kim Product Expert, Nova Korea

“My trip to Nova USA for business turned into a great opportunity for learning and growing in my job.

It was clear that to really learn everything, I'd need to stay longer than usual, which meant being far from my family.

Thankfully, Nova helped by arranging for my family to join me on this extended business trip, turning a professional challenge into a chance for us to create new memories together.

During this time, I got to learn hands-on about our technology and also got to show my family around, like taking them to see the Golden Gate Bridge.

The team in Nova USA was very welcoming and I enjoyed joining the happy hours and celebrations.

Mixing work learning with family time like this really showed me how Nova supports its employees, not just in their careers but also in making sure we all have a balanced and fulfilling life.”

Jungwook Kim, Application Director, Nova Korea

“Drawing from my 30 years of experience in the tech industry, I believe that the most important skill for any professional is confidence.

That's why I always find myself chatting with younger colleagues, offering tips on how to reach their goals.

So, when I heard about Nova's annual learning week, "Metro Fest," I jumped at the chance to give a lecture.

I wanted to share my work and life experiences with the team, especially the younger ones.

My goal was to help them build their confidence and bridge that generation gap.

It turned out amazing! The room was packed, and I even learned a lot from my younger colleagues about their concerns and interests.
But the real highlight was the feedback! Everyone was super engaged and had great things to say afterwards.

Being part of Nova Korea makes me really proud.
This experience is another example of how Nova goes beyond just our daily jobs and invests in its employees.
Oh, and let's not forget the awesome burger lunch we shared after the lecture!”

These stories are just a few shades in the spectrum that defines Nova Korea. Each individual brings their own color, their own perspective, adding to the vibrant mosaic that makes our team so special.

Jake Lee, Service Manager, Nova Korea

“After a few years exploring roles in various companies and territories, I realized there's no place quite like Nova and chose to come back.
Since my departure in 2017, I've missed the unique mix of challenging work and great teamwork that Nova Korea stands for.
It truly feels like coming back to my professional home.

The company has grown significantly, transitioning from a small start-up-like operation to a more structured, professional environment.
Yet, the core of what makes Nova special, the proactive, growth-oriented culture, remains the same—not to mention the friendly, family-like atmosphere.
My journey has come full circle.
I left an FSE position 7 years ago, and now, as a service manager, I'm looking forward to contributing to our service team's success and enhancing our operations and customer relationships.
Rejoining Nova isn't just a step back to familiar grounds; it's a step forward in my career, ready to make an impact with a team that feels like family.”

If you feel that you can be the next piece in our ever-evolving puzzle click here to learn about the various career opportunities in Nova Korea- Link: https://www.novami.com/location_filter/korea/