Beauty Connect 2026 Highlights Future of Beauty Education in Korea

The Korea Beauty Professors Association and the Hair Division of the Korean Society of Beauty held the summer seminar 'Beauty Connect 2026' at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, from August 3 to 4.

Focusing on the themes of talent development, psychological healing, and generative AI, the seminar brought together beauty educators from universities across the nation, along with industry professionals, to explore the essence of education and the future direction of beauty training.

The opening lecture was given by Woo Un-mi, CEO of the prominent beauty brand idHAIR, who shared the brand's growth story over its 38-year history. She emphasized idHAIR's management philosophy steeped in 'Familism', which underscores the importance of nurturing people and fostering organizational culture as key values for sustainable growth. Additionally, she highlighted the establishment of an educational academy in Cambodia, dedicated to beauty training and community service, as part of the brand's commitment to K-beauty.

Following this, Professor Kim Kyung-il from Ajou University, an expert in cognitive psychology, discussed 'Psychological Healing for Beauty Professionals.' He highlighted the importance of emotional labor management and psychological resilience amidst declining birth rates and an aging population. He provided insights on cultivating positivity and stress management techniques, asserting that true happiness and satisfaction stem from frequency rather than size.

The final session featured Professor Park Jeong-ah from Sookmyung Women's University, who conducted a practical workshop on creating beauty education content using generative AI. Participants engaged in hands-on experience, utilizing generative AI for lesson plan development, educational imagery, and presentation materials. Professors expressed consensus on the potential of generative AI as a new educational tool to enhance creativity and efficacy in teaching methodologies.

The second day entailed discussions on curriculum improvements reflecting industry needs and pedagogical applications of AI. The attendees also visited the exhibition 'Cubist: Innovators of Vision', engaging in critiques and sharing guidance on student projects, integrating artistic and creative education into future curricula.

A ceremony honoring the retirement of veteran educators who have dedicated themselves to advancing beauty education in Korea was also held, fostering a moment of gratitude and respect among seasoned and upcoming educators.

Wrapping up the seminar, President Jeong Hyun-sook of the Korea Beauty Professors Association remarked, "The core of education is always the people; technology is merely a tool that enhances human value." She expressed hopes that this summer seminar would serve as a starting point for bridging professors, industry, and AI in reshaping the future of beauty education in South Korea. She also affirmed the association's commitment to building an educational platform for close collaboration between universities, industries, and academic societies to cultivate talents capable of leading the evolving beauty industry, emphasizing their dedication to educational innovation.