It was then that she chose to not let the stereotype define her. Wanting to truly represent who she was, Lee donned a pink jumpsuit while addressing her organisation for the first time.

“I decided what matters to me is that I can be myself, not what others expect of me because of leadership stereotypes. Also, a big motivator for me was being able to signal to the young female managers in Korea that “if someone like [me] can be a CEO of P&G Korea and succeed, I can be, too” and provide inspiration that you don’t have to fit a certain stereotype to succeed,” explains Lee.

While Lee continues to break gender barriers in the male-dominated industry, we catch up with her as she shares more about her experience balancing work and family, feeling empowered in her own body and her top skincare tips.

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As a mother and CEO, how do you balance your time between work and family?

Lee Sue-kyung (LS): Balancing time between work and family is not easy. Women have always been under the pressure to live up to high expectations, whether it be from society or ourselves. Mothers are often held up to an even higher standard where we are expected to do it all.

That said, it is possible with a mindset shift. From starting out in my motherhood journey to progressing in my career, I’ve learnt that balancing work and life isn’t about strictly dividing your time. It’s about being flexible with it.

How does SK-II strive to stay relevant in such a competitive industry?

LS: Rather than innovating for the sake of following trends or adopting a promotion-heavy approach to skincare advertising, we are passionate about building brand love and trust in SK-II through authentic, living proof stories of transformation to Crystal Clear Skin powered by Pitera.

What is a common misconception about the skincare industry?

LS: One of the most common misconceptions is that beauty requires a more-is-more approach. That is, more skincare steps, more products and more good ingredients to weave into our routines. But I, and the SK-II brand, strongly believe in quality over quantity.

What does the International Women’s Day 2023 campaign theme ‘embrace equity’ mean to you?

LS: It’s a theme very close to my heart because, as a female leader of a female-oriented brand, I strongly believe in driving fairness and inclusion for all women. We have to do our part to give women the avenue and opportunity to be who they want to be, and to achieve what they dream to achieve.

How can we feel empowered in our own bodies?

LS: Empowerment requires courage. It is about listening within to know what we really want and need, and staying true to who we are. I empower myself by being firm in being who I am, and not letting social norms or stereotypes stand in the way of that.

What are your top skincare tips?

LS: When it comes to skincare, look past the trends and always go for high-quality and irresistibly superior products that withstand the test of time. These would come from brands with a proven history of only creating products with the highest craftsmanship that never compromise on efficacy no matter what.

For instance, I have been using the Pitera Essence for 23 years now. After all this time, it’s still my favourite against any new products in the market.

What advice would you give the next generation of skincare consumers?

LS: To younger readers, my advice is to start consciously caring for your skin as early as in your twenties or even before, by investing in essentials so you can maintain a good skin condition for a long time.

What advice would you give someone who is hoping to enter the industry?

LS: Aim to be you, since only you can decide who you are. Embrace your own unique qualities. Ask yourself: “How can I get recognised in a way that is true to myself?”. Importantly, don’t give up or give in to stereotypes or pressure to be someone who you aren’t.

The idea of taking destiny into your own hands could be daunting. It requires courage. But we all have it in us. You may be surprised at the number of doors that open to you when you choose your path.

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