People who don't stop at borders

Could you start by introducing yourself?

Hi, I'm Charmaine. In Korea I go by Ming, and in the Philippines I also go by Maine, Char or Char-Char, depending on when and where we first met. I hold degrees in Multimedia Arts and Computer Science from different universities. I started as a web designer focused on usability analysis, and now I work as a Tech Lead and developer.

A diverse background lets me balance the technical and user perspectives, so what we build is not only functional and scalable but also intuitive and easy to use. Day to day, I align tech projects with our business goals while staying hands-on, developing and solving problems alongside the team.

You've been with United Borders the longest. How did you join?

I was looking for a role where I could bring my design and usability background while diving deep into development. Then I came across a job listing from Kraccess, the company's previous name, and applied even though the post was entirely in Korean. It's all about taking chances. My application got noticed, and I worked for a few months as a remote part-time freelancer to build and launch Hanpoom.com V1.

After a great working experience with John and many conversations about United Borders' future and the value of sharing K-Food in the US, I knew I wanted to be part of this team. Shortly after the launch, I flew to Korea and joined full time.

You moved from Korea to the Philippines to build the local team. What was your main focus?

We decided together to build the tech team in the Philippines, starting with a few developers and a QA. A remote setup let us reach a wider pool of talent and bring in great people from across the country.

The idea was to move faster in product development while keeping quality high. It's exciting to see the Philippine team grow into graphic design, business development and marketing too.

What matters most for collaboration in a remote, multicultural team?

Proactive communication. Miscommunication happens even on site, so remotely it's even more important to check in often and clarify.

Collaboration works when a clear end goal meets flexibility. Our Korea and Philippines teams need the same understanding of why we're building something and the value it should deliver. Plans don't always go as expected, so flexibility is key. The Korea team brings business context, and the Philippines team spots challenges early and suggests adjustments as we build.

Outside of tech, what are you into?

I love travelling, locally and internationally. I'm also into casual photography and videography, and I've picked up a few film, mirrorless and action cameras. Nowadays I mostly shoot on my phone and share my travels through Instagram stories. I used to post edited videos on YouTube; maybe one day I'll get back to it and feature the United Borders team too.

Tell us about your neighborhood

I live in Las Piñas City, at the very south of Metro Manila. It feels like a small town, with schools, clinics, groceries and restaurants within a 10-minute walk.

It's very family-oriented: kids playing outside, people walking their dogs, families and friends dining out. You'll often find me at my favorite coffee shop, Many Hats, working or hanging out with my neighborhood friends.

What has been your most rewarding moment at United Borders?

Being trusted to build a remote team in the Philippines. My background was more about hands-on execution than leadership, so I'm especially grateful to John and Bart for their trust, and to Bern, who was a huge help during the transition.

Working with my Philippine teammates has been just as rewarding. They're hardworking and genuinely invested in what we're building and where we're headed, always stepping up with strong initiative. Growing with the Korea team in the early years, and now with the Philippine team, has been humbling.

Who is your favorite artist?

I usually listen to pop, or anything bright and catchy. I've been into K-pop for a long time and lately P-pop too, so it's hard to pick one. These days it's a lot of JENNIE, KATSEYE and BINI. Their songs give me energy and sometimes make me dance, even on a busy day.

Please introduce yourself

Hello, I'm Noah (Minyoung Jung), the UX/UI Designer at United Borders.

What part of UX/UI do you handle?

The overall UX/UI. From core experiences like product discovery, the cart and checkout to marketing ad images, I handle a wide range of touchpoints. My role is to coordinate different perspectives so the result is not only good-looking but also intuitive and easy to use.

What matters most when you design at United Borders?

Making sure the purchase journey flows smoothly. I follow one principle: simple, seamless, instantly understandable.

Our service is used by customers in both the US and Korea, so I also pay close attention to language and cultural differences.

How do you spend your days off?

I prefer staying home. I binge dramas and movies or play games. I enjoy horror and thrillers and watch a lot of animation, so recommendations are welcome.

We heard you're close with Hanpoom's mascot, Suchan

I've always loved dogs, and I met Suchan shortly after I had lost my own dog. Maybe that's why he felt so special and I grew attached so naturally. Above all, he's just so cute; he makes me happy every time I see him.

What project are you working on now?

Hanpoom's UX/UI improvement project. We're refining the whole UI to reduce friction and confusion and make mobile more convenient. From buttons, icons and colors to the design system, we're making the service more intuitive and consistent.

What matters most when you collaborate?

Clear communication. When I talk about design, I explain the context, why a structure is needed, not just the screens. And when development or marketing send well-organized, detailed requests, everything moves much faster.

Please introduce yourself

Hi, I'm Daniel Kim, and I'm in charge of People and operations at United Borders.

We heard you have an interesting hobby

My biggest hobby is playing in a band, and it has been for 13 years. It's more than a hobby now; it's a core part of my life. Music keeps my mind flexible and helps me relieve stress.

I'm a die-hard rock fan and a bassist. If you walk past my desk, you might hear some rock coming out of my earbuds. These days we release albums and play two shows a year. You're always welcome to come.

What does a People & OP Manager do at United Borders?

Three things. First, recruiting: finding people who can grow with United Borders. This year I'm focused on raising our talent density.

Second, government programs: introducing our business to public agencies and securing funding. Over the past two years we've raised about 800 million KRW.

Third, People operations: improving the work environment, resolving communication issues and strengthening teamwork.

You started your career in China

My career began while I was studying in China. Majoring in HR, I became fascinated by connecting people with organizations. I then joined LG Electronics' HR team in China and learned how a large company manages talent in a structured way.

Ironically, the more stability I had, the more I wanted challenge and pace, which led me to a startup. I met United Borders by chance at a startup career fair, and it's already been three years.

What is your work philosophy?

To make United Borders a place where people enjoy working. I believe the greatest growth happens through joy. Real growth always involves some pain, and what helps us endure it is enjoying the work itself.

To know whether the team is enjoying their work and staying engaged, I try to listen deeply and sincerely. Genuine communication is the foundation for unlocking potential.

Lately I've been thinking about United Borders' own culture. Ask what makes work joyful and keep asking why, and the answer isn't a cool office or great perks. It's the team culture. We're building it together, and I want to help define it and make it shine.

What was your hardest moment?

In 2023, when United Borders faced financial difficulties and had to reduce headcount. I tried to keep good relationships with the people leaving, listened to their concerns and worked with them to find the best outcomes.

It taught me a lot and raised deeper questions about building trust through hard times, and about the real value of the People function.

If you had to pick one strength of United Borders?

Without hesitation, our flat culture. We respect one another and share ideas freely. We skip formal titles, and we share not just work but daily life and hobbies.

This atmosphere is more than comfortable. It's the foundation for creativity, and it makes a real difference when times are tough.

What is your growth goal this year?

To reimagine our hiring, meet great people and build relationships where both sides grow. In the long run, I want to become a People specialist who can set a clear direction for company culture.

Any advice for people who want a People role?

Creativity and a spirit of challenge. Unexpected problems come up all the time, but I've often solved them in unexpected ways. What keeps that creativity alive is refusing to give up.

Who would be a great fit for United Borders?

If you enjoy your work and want to overcome challenges and grow together, you'll fit right in. Before you know it, you'll be watching your teammates' backs and enjoying every day.

Could you start by introducing yourself?

Hi, I'm Olive, the ever-curious, always-chatty social butterfly of the Philippine team. I have 10 years of experience across three roles, and United Borders is my fourth adventure.

I majored in Information Technology. Outside work, I'm a full-time fan of TWICE and BINI, a coffee addict and a part-time travel bug, always chasing something new.

What do you do at United Borders?

I help with country expansion while working full time on Kimsbasket.com, from product selection to execution and promotion. I also reach out to great content creators to spread the word and grow the brand.

Could you briefly introduce Kim's Basket?

Kim's Basket is an English-language store for customers in the US and around the world. Our goal is to reach more cultures and communities who love, or are curious about, Korean food. We specialize in authentic Korean food, often in bigger quantities, with most orders starting at $60.

Our mission is to become the most trusted destination for Korean food in America.

You visit Korea often. Are you a fan of Korean culture?

I've been a fan since 2007, but around 2019 I really started to dive deeper, connecting with people who shared the same passions. Since then I've travelled to Korea on my own so often that it feels like a second home.

Honestly, sometimes it's faster to fly to Korea than to get across Manila, thanks to the traffic. What started as a hobby grew into a business, and I earned the trust of a wonderful community of K-pop fans along the way.

What is it like working remotely from the Philippines?

I always work to stay focused, energized and productive in the environment I have. My home lets me take care of my health while giving my best at work.

But remote work isn't just working comfortably. The more comfortable the environment, the more responsible I feel for delivering results. All of us work as true team members, and the comfort of home pushes us to be even more productive.

You're known for your positive mindset. Any tips?

Staying positive isn't always easy, but a few habits help. Find at least one thing to be grateful for, even when plans fall apart. Remember that progress beats perfection, and celebrate small wins. Surround yourself with positive people. And do things that spark joy, like music, a little fangirling or self-care.

Positivity isn't about being happy all the time. It's about choosing hope and showing up with heart.

Anything you'd like to say to the team?

I'm proud to work alongside such talented, dedicated and genuinely kind people. Your hard work, creativity and support make every challenge lighter and every win sweeter. Let's keep lifting each other up, celebrating the little victories and spreading good vibes like confetti. Together, we're unstoppable.