About The Korea Center of Greenville

Executive Director/이사장

Sara, a long-time Greenville resident originally from Busan, Korea, is the founder and Executive Chair of The Korea Center of Greenville. A retired real estate broker, she also serves as Committee Chair for the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council at the Republic of Korea-Atlanta Chapter. Since establishing the Center in 2014, Sara has been dedicated to preserving the Korean language and cultural heritage for children of immigrants while enriching the local community with Korean culture and history.

secretary/ 비서

Linda, a retired teacher with 40 years of experience, became dedicated to The Korea Center of Greenville, its community and its culture, after taking the first-offered, adult Korean language class in 2014. As a volunteer, she is committed to helping the Center enrich other’s lives through its activities and events. She avidly supports the values and culture of Korea and hopes to help strengthen the connection between the American and Korean cultures. She is grateful to the Korean community for their helpfulness, kindness, and friendship. She currently resides in Fountain Inn with her daughter and supportive husband, who shares her love of Korean food, culture, history, and entertainment.

Board Member/이사

Jeoung Soo Lee received her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, South Korea and she is the Gilpin MD’82 Distinguished professor in the Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University. She is a teacher who is dedicated, enthusiastic, approachable, resourceful, innovative, and knowledgeable with a keen attitude towards helping students. She is a researcher who focuses on developing drugs for targeted delivery using nanoparticle to stimulate central nervous system regeneration after trauma or degenerative diseases. She is the founder, vice president, and chief scientific officer (CSO) of NeuroHope Therapeutics, Inc.

Treasurer/재무

Chin Landgrave, originally from Daegu, Korea, has lived in the United States for over 30 years and has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry. She is currently serving as a 1st term board member for The Korea Center of Greenville. Chin loves to help people and works as a Medical Interpreter for the Korean community who have communication issues with hospitals, doctors visits, schools, government and public offices. One of her goals is to make a positive impact in the Korean community.

Board member/ 이사

Sung Yi Soug was born in Seoul, Korea, and has lived in the United States since the age of 13. She has resided in several regions of the country, including Massachusetts, Utah, and Virginia, before settling in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2006. Greenville has since become her home, where she and her husband raised their two sons and established strong ties within the community. Sung Yi remains actively involved in volunteer work through community and church organizations and is deeply committed to cultural connection and service. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Art from Brigham Young University and serves as a Realtor Associate with Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty.

Board member/ 이사

Kyong was born in Nonsan, South Korea. She is the owner of a business in the Upstate and brings over 40 years of professional experience in hair design. She has lived in Greenville for more than 24 years. Deeply rooted in Korean culture, she maintains a strong connection through food and cooking and strongly believes in the importance of family values. These principles guide her dedication to bringing people together and supporting Korean cultural connections.

Art director/ 아트 디렉터

Youmi Efurd is a curator, art historian, and educator with over 20 years of experience dedicated to promoting and enriching cultural knowledge in the Upstate region and beyond. Through curating exhibitions, conducting research, and developing educational programs, Youmi has played a vital role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of diverse artistic traditions.

In addition to her professional work, Youmi is deeply committed to community service, having collaborated with local schools, museums, and cultural organizations to provide accessible arts education and outreach programs. By organizing public lectures, workshops, and interactive events, Youmi has helped bridge the gap between academic scholarship and community engagement, ensuring that art remains a dynamic and inclusive resource for all.

Her dedication extends beyond institutional settings, as she actively mentor students and emerging artists, encouraging the next generation to explore and appreciate the arts. Through these efforts, Youmi continues to strengthen cultural connections and contribute to the region’s vibrant artistic and cultural landscape.

Media spokesperson

Lauren is an entrepreneur and passionate advocate for Korean culture. Originally from South Korea, she has built most of her career in the U.S. as a designer and animator, holding a Bachelor's in Computer Graphic Design with a Business English minor. She has created interactive websites, educational software, and games for the U.S. Army Special Forces and educational publishers. Now owns and operates Crispy Cones, a thriving franchise business. As a media spokesperson, Lauren shares her love for Korean heritage through traditional fan dance performances, especially focusing on media projects. Her passion for her roots drives everything she does, blending creativity and cultural connection in every endeavor.