Chae sounds like che in Che Guevara
Won sounds like one in number one.
My name sounds like, "Che-One."
It means Origin of Colors (채원) in Korean.

I'm from Korea, and I'm always curious to learn more. I don't always express my emotions outwardly, but I'm very good at connecting with different people. I'm easily moved by beauty in nature, in art, and in words. Traveling in South America was amazing as all the encounters with beautiful things nourished my everyday.

In the past 4 years, I worked for tech startups. I was a Product Manager for 1 year, and as a User Experience Researcher for 3 years. I felt optimistic about the flexibility and scale the tech-enabled business allows, and wanted to experiment with taking on more risks at independent opportunities. So I recently stopped working for companies, and started my independent projects. Currently, I also work part-time at a cafe and a bar to finance my living. Eventually, I'd like to lead an independent, fulfilling life while also leading impactful projects.(You can also find me on LinkedIn: https://kr.linkedin.com/in/chaewonkim16)

My first job was at a fintech startup in India, and I worked as a UX Researcher. This was before covid, so I flew to 9 different states in India, and conducted field interviews in 5 different languages (thanks to the interpreters who worked with me) Since covid, I haven't got to travel much, but I did visit India in November 2022, only to be reminded of how much I love traveling, and how much I can learn from experiencing the local culture, especially in India, one of the most vibrant, diverse places you can visit. I'm planning to go on a long-term travel again soon, but before that happens, I'm starting to host travelers around the world. I've been learning that hosting can be just as humbling, inspiring, and eye-opening as when I'm traveling. Looking forward to meeting more interesting, like-minded souls from different walks of life.

I tried couchsurfing for the first time when I graduated from college in 2016. I started traveling in Detroit, U.S., flew into Santiago, Chile, and spent two months each in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. During the travel, I worked on a horse farm, karate gym, and a restaurant in Peru, and a backpacker hostel, ecological garden, and farm in Bolivia.

I'm mature for my age in some ways, but also childlike in other ways. While I'm in school, I'm a pretty hardworking person, as I'm driven by a desire to learn more. I also rowed in college. I love doing active things and I love basketball. Now, as I'm traveling, I'm a little more laid back, as I switch gears, relax and absorb the fun that surround me. I love talking with locals about little things in everyday life as such encounters reveal something we share in common, regardless of where we live and come from. Maybe that's the young sociologist in me:) I'm a little nerdy and get excited when it comes to learning the history, society, politics of the local places. I also love climbing on a hill or rooftop and looking down at the panoramic view of the city I'm visiting. I love observing people pass by in local, bustling vegetable markets and talking to friendly strangers on public buses. That's what you do in sociology: talk to people! Ask questions and understand what drives people. Empathize with how they imagine life-world that surround them.
I'm also always down for good conversations, chill hangouts, and fun times. I care deeply about friends and relationships I build with people. Serendipitous encounters are the best!

I´m not on CS to search for hookups.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to travel to people, not just to places.
I have faith in the kindness of strangers - I believe the world is full of new friends I haven´t met yet, and I want to travel to them. From such serendipitous encounters, I learn so much about the places I travel, and about myself.

Interests

I truly love the backpacking lifestyle. I think travel means something more than tourism. My interest at the moment is finding the travel style that is most meaningful to me - living simply, meeting people I´d otherwise never meet, living in the moment. Immersing into a culture.

skateboarding and surfing,
playing basketball, hiking, running, cycling
looking at cool contemporary art, or making sculpture
good beer and amazing nature
following my favorite players on NBA(basketball)

Asking questions

• arts
• culture
• literature
• poetry
• contemporary art
• beer
• running
• flying
• movies
• tv
• traveling
• hip-hop music
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• skateboarding
• sports
• basketball
• history
• mountains
• sculpture
• installation art

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: chill beats, indie pop, The Oasis, HAON, Woo, Lee Youngji, New Jeans, IU, Chang Kiha, Bol4, 10cm, BTS, Arctic Monkeys, 1975, E-Sens(이센스), Epik High, Jason Mraz. Ed Sheeran, Jessy Lanza
Movies: Parasite, Interstellar, The Host(괴물) , Spider Man, Marvel, Anomalisa, The Incredibles, Star Wars.
Books: The Beartown, Us Against You, Antifragile, Vagabonding, Harry Potter Series, Crime and Punishment, Imagined Communities, The Little Prince, Romance of Three Kingdoms (삼국지)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

-grilled salmon on a ship on the arctic ocean in Svalbard, Norway.
-stumbled upon a group of refugees and asylum seekers on the top floor of a dilapidated building called Chung King Mansion discussing social issues weekly.
-cleared and melted a snow-covered basketball court and played ball with friends
-accidentally roomed with a young North Korean student for a week.
-trekked along an old nomadic path for four days in Tibet, and visited Potala Palace in old city of Lhasa.
-learned to fly an airplane

Teach, Learn, Share

I can help you practice English and learn Korean.

If you’re interested, I can help you understand the cultural nuances in Parasite the movie, Squid Games the TV show, or the lyrics of the many songs by BTS.

I also have experience working as a product manager and user experience researcher at tech companies. I can help you design and develop a website -- programming, designing, marketing, and improving the product strategy for your shop and store.

What I Can Share with Hosts

South Korean culture, from poetry, history, literature to pop stars. Help with moving things and basic chores such as recycling and throwing out trash. Basic carpentry and good company:) PS I'd be happy to cook Korean food such as Bulgogi, Kimchi Fried Rice, and egg-coated fried tofu

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, North Korea, Norway, Peru, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, South Korea, United States