"The hands that once drew blueprints now close multi-hundred-billion KRW deals."
Center Point Gwanghwamun, Samseong-dong Prime Building—at the heart of RSQUARE’s recent string of major sale advisory projects stands one individual: Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at the Investment Advisory Division. Just a few years ago, he was a professional architect handling CAD at an architecture firm. Today, he has become a key player facilitating massive transactions between Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and sellers.
From architect to real estate deal maker. How did this bold transformation happen? And what is the competitive edge of RSQUARE that rivals envy? We sat down with him to hear his story.
Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at the Investment Advisory Division
Q. Please introduce yourself.
Jin-hyung Lee: I am a Senior at RSQUARE’s Investment Advisory Division. After majoring in architecture and gaining experience at an architectural firm, I currently handle various advisory projects, including sale advisory, feasibility analysis, and due diligence coordination.
Q. What motivated your career shift from architecture to investment advisory?
Jin-hyung Lee: While working in architectural design, I realized that repetitive design tasks could one day be replaced by AI. As I contemplated my future path, an opportunity to move into advisory arose. I decided to pivot because I believed that coordinating between investors and sellers—building trust and supporting decision-making—is a realm only humans can navigate. I also felt my architectural background would be a strong advantage.
Q. How does the Investment Advisory Division operate?
Jin-hyung Lee: We receive RFPs (Request for Proposals) from sellers and submit proposals. Once selected, we create marketing materials like Teaser Memorandums (TM) and Information Memorandums (IM) for potential buyers. Afterward, we coordinate the selection of the preferred bidder and manage due diligence (market, physical, and professional) while supporting the deal until closing. Since multiple projects run simultaneously, standardized processes and teamwork are crucial in our division.
Q. Is there a particularly memorable project you’ve worked on?
Jin-hyung Lee: The 'Center Point Gwanghwamun Sale Advisory' in the CBD stands out. Our team handled all marketing materials. Despite concerns about oversupply, we built a solid investment logic based on the stability of key tenants and data from past and current supply cycles. It was highly rewarding to create a "story" backed by market data rather than just introducing an asset.
Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at the Investment Advisory Division
Q. Why do clients choose RSQUARE over competitors?
Jin-hyung Lee: In reality, the pool of AMC buyers within the industry is limited. The difference lies in how precisely you market, how relevant the data you provide is, and how reliably you communicate. Furthermore, thanks to our strong Tenant Representative (TR) department, we have easy access to Strategic Investors (SIs), who are central to today’s deals. The high-quality data collected by our Information Infrastructure Division is also a powerful weapon.
By collaborating across departments, we leverage strengths in all sectors of real estate. Working with RSQUARE offers an "effortless experience" for clients, which I believe is our biggest differentiator. In fact, our competitors often express envy of our "Deep Data."
Q. What personal efforts led to your success, and when do you feel most rewarded?
Jin-hyung Lee: When I first switched roles, I knew nothing about real estate terms like NOC or Cap Rate. I studied terminology and financial modeling separately after work. Coming from an architecture background, I was familiar with blueprints and CAD; adding new financial knowledge created a unique competitive edge.
In meetings, I strive to leave a lasting impression of professionalism. I proactively identify the other party's needs and respond swiftly. For a building in Samseong-dong, the first-floor facade was quite aged. I proposed a remodeling scenario with renderings first, and the feedback was that it was "extremely memorable." I feel most rewarded when I hear, "Working with RSQUARE was a great experience."
A facade redesign proposal for the Samseong-dong building
Q. What are your future goals?
Jin-hyung Lee: I want to obtain both Architect and Certified Investment Asset Manager licenses to qualify as a professional development expert. My goal is to create a clear differentiation, particularly in development-type deals. Above all, I want to achieve more results through data, networks, and a prepared mindset.
'Armed with data, reading customer needs ahead of time.'
Constant preparation, execution, and a customer-centric attitude. These three pillars found in Jin-hyung Lee’s answers are the reasons why RSQUARE’s Investment Advisory Division is trusted by the market. His story is more than a success tale; it demonstrates the attitude of a true professional who creates opportunities through prepared expertise without fearing change.
From architect to deal maker—his transformation is still in progress.
Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at RSQUARE Investment Advisory —
"Only those prepared for the customer can seize the opportunity."
\ 
"The hands that once drew blueprints now close multi-hundred-billion KRW deals."
Center Point Gwanghwamun, Samseong-dong Prime Building—at the heart of RSQUARE’s recent string of major sale advisory projects stands one individual: Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at the Investment Advisory Division. Just a few years ago, he was a professional architect handling CAD at an architecture firm. Today, he has become a key player facilitating massive transactions between Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and sellers.
From architect to real estate deal maker. How did this bold transformation happen? And what is the competitive edge of RSQUARE that rivals envy? We sat down with him to hear his story.
Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at the Investment Advisory Division
Q. Please introduce yourself.
Jin-hyung Lee: I am a Senior at RSQUARE’s Investment Advisory Division. After majoring in architecture and gaining experience at an architectural firm, I currently handle various advisory projects, including sale advisory, feasibility analysis, and due diligence coordination.
Q. What motivated your career shift from architecture to investment advisory?
Jin-hyung Lee: While working in architectural design, I realized that repetitive design tasks could one day be replaced by AI. As I contemplated my future path, an opportunity to move into advisory arose. I decided to pivot because I believed that coordinating between investors and sellers—building trust and supporting decision-making—is a realm only humans can navigate. I also felt my architectural background would be a strong advantage.
Q. How does the Investment Advisory Division operate?
Jin-hyung Lee: We receive RFPs (Request for Proposals) from sellers and submit proposals. Once selected, we create marketing materials like Teaser Memorandums (TM) and Information Memorandums (IM) for potential buyers. Afterward, we coordinate the selection of the preferred bidder and manage due diligence (market, physical, and professional) while supporting the deal until closing. Since multiple projects run simultaneously, standardized processes and teamwork are crucial in our division.
Q. Is there a particularly memorable project you’ve worked on?
Jin-hyung Lee: The 'Center Point Gwanghwamun Sale Advisory' in the CBD stands out. Our team handled all marketing materials. Despite concerns about oversupply, we built a solid investment logic based on the stability of key tenants and data from past and current supply cycles. It was highly rewarding to create a "story" backed by market data rather than just introducing an asset.
Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at the Investment Advisory Division
Q. Why do clients choose RSQUARE over competitors?
Jin-hyung Lee: In reality, the pool of AMC buyers within the industry is limited. The difference lies in how precisely you market, how relevant the data you provide is, and how reliably you communicate. Furthermore, thanks to our strong Tenant Representative (TR) department, we have easy access to Strategic Investors (SIs), who are central to today’s deals. The high-quality data collected by our Information Infrastructure Division is also a powerful weapon.
By collaborating across departments, we leverage strengths in all sectors of real estate. Working with RSQUARE offers an "effortless experience" for clients, which I believe is our biggest differentiator. In fact, our competitors often express envy of our "Deep Data."
Q. What personal efforts led to your success, and when do you feel most rewarded?
Jin-hyung Lee: When I first switched roles, I knew nothing about real estate terms like NOC or Cap Rate. I studied terminology and financial modeling separately after work. Coming from an architecture background, I was familiar with blueprints and CAD; adding new financial knowledge created a unique competitive edge.
In meetings, I strive to leave a lasting impression of professionalism. I proactively identify the other party's needs and respond swiftly. For a building in Samseong-dong, the first-floor facade was quite aged. I proposed a remodeling scenario with renderings first, and the feedback was that it was "extremely memorable." I feel most rewarded when I hear, "Working with RSQUARE was a great experience."
A facade redesign proposal for the Samseong-dong building
Q. What are your future goals?
Jin-hyung Lee: I want to obtain both Architect and Certified Investment Asset Manager licenses to qualify as a professional development expert. My goal is to create a clear differentiation, particularly in development-type deals. Above all, I want to achieve more results through data, networks, and a prepared mindset.
'Armed with data, reading customer needs ahead of time.'
Constant preparation, execution, and a customer-centric attitude. These three pillars found in Jin-hyung Lee’s answers are the reasons why RSQUARE’s Investment Advisory Division is trusted by the market. His story is more than a success tale; it demonstrates the attitude of a true professional who creates opportunities through prepared expertise without fearing change.
From architect to deal maker—his transformation is still in progress.
Jin-hyung Lee, Senior at RSQUARE Investment Advisory —
"Only those prepared for the customer can seize the opportunity."