An Interview with Kristi Shalla & Dr. Sung-Jin Park

Kristi Shalla is a Senior Smart City Consultant with fifteen years of development experience in the US, Asia, and Europe. She is an expert in global economic development and building innovative ecosystems and currently holds the position of Innovation Commissioner at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C. Before relocating to Washington, D.C., in the fall of 2020, Kristi was Head of Project Development at the Center for Innovation in Transport (CENIT) in Barcelona, Spain, where she built public and private partnerships in transport and smart city research for projects around the globe, including extensive work in South Korea. Kristi has over fifteen years of experience in building development projects between the US, Europe, and the APAC Region. Kristi is an experienced speaker, lecturer, and contributor on the topic of urban mobility, smart city development, and international expansion.

Dr. Sung-Jin Park is an industry expert at LGU+ specializing in smart cities and has a two-decade career in this field. Her journey commenced as a city planner at the Incheon Institute, where she honed her skills and expertise. After earning her Ph.D. in urban planning and policy at the University of California, Irvine, in the United States, she embarked on an eight-year tenure with Samsung SDS, serving as an IT consultant with a specialization in the execution of various smart city consulting and implementation projects. In 2021, Dr. Park made the transition to the LGU+ smart city team, dedicating two years to innovating services for Sejong National Pilot City, a prominent initiative in South Korea. She has closely collaborated with both private and public sectors, making significant contributions to the development of a wide array of smart city projects leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Kristi: It wasn’t easy! We went through a lot of ideas before we found the title we really liked. Also since it is a play on a well-known literary classic (A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens), we were worried people wouldn’t really get it or make different assumptions about the book. But in the end, we are really happy with the title because it really sums up what the book is about and a lot of people have commented that they really like the literary reference.

Sung-Jin Park: Choosing the title of the book was understandably a challenging task. Kristi and I wanted to ensure that the words “Seoul” and “Smart City” were included, which limited our options. During this process, Albert Liau, an Atmosphere Press developmental editor, was a tremendous help. We are now very satisfied with the book’s title.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Kristi: It is really an extraordinary feeling to receive the book cover ideas with the title and our names written there. We were pretty diligent in giving examples of book covers we liked but we were still surprised that the proposals were so in line with what we wanted. And we are so happy with the final cover, it really makes me smile every time I see it.

Sung-Jin Park: There is certainly a significant difference between viewing a book cover design on a computer screen and seeing it in person. The background color, in particular, had a substantial impact. Kristi and I deliberated between yellow, red (or pink), and blue hues and eventually decided on a red or pink shade. Seeing the actual cover in person, I am delighted with how much more beautiful it looks.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Sung-Jin Park: Of course, I must mention my co-author, Kristi Shalla. Writing a book aimed at English-speaking readers was an intimidating task for someone like me, whose native language is not English. Kristi, who has a deep affection for Korea, particularly the city of Seoul, was the one who first suggested we write this book together. Accepting her proposal has been one of the best decisions of my life.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Sung-Jin Park: I am an industry expert with nearly twenty years of experience in urban development and smart city projects. The field of smart cities is quite broad and can be difficult to comprehend fully. However, my extensive experience has positioned me to understand and explain the concept of smart cities in a more accessible manner. I believe this book is a reflection of my accumulated knowledge and insights in the field in part.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Kristi: Definitely the most meaningful part of publishing our book has been learning more about the world, both through our research during the writing process and also through the opportunities that the book launch has created to engage with and learn from new people and places.

Sung-Jin Park: The fact that the book has been published holds great significance for me. Publishing a book was a dream come true. Throughout the writing process, I often felt uncertainty and frustration about whether we would be able to actually complete it. Through this publication, I proved to myself that I can actually become a writer. This newfound confidence is the most important outcome for me.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Kristi: I would start with “Downtown” by Petula Clark and, of course, “Gangnam Style” by Psy. And I am a walker so I would add songs perfect for an urban stroll or visiting sites in the city on foot. While taking public transport an appropriate soundtrack might be “Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major” and maybe “Dias de Verano” by Amaral for a walk along Cheonggye Stream. Shin Joong Hyun’s “Woman in the Rain” would be perfect for a walk through the Donggaemun Design Plaza and surrounding areas because nothing is more fashionable than a retro hit! We also happened upon a concert last summer during a walk around one of the parks on the Han River so I will always hear “Hype Boy” by New Jeans when I think of that area.

Sung-Jin Park: I would say “Dreamers” by Jungkook of BTS. I first heard it during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and it resonated with me so much that I listened to it whenever I needed a boost of positivity. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I started writing the book around the same time I discovered this song in 2022. Looking back now, I think this song played a significant role in helping me finish the book.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

Kristi: Our perfect is someone who is open to trying new things and optimistic about the world. The objective of this book is to bridge a gap between conversations that have been taking place primarily at an academic level and topics in the mainstream. We want to encourage people to think more about their communities and how they can be improved through local programs.

Sung-Jin Park: My ideal readers fall into two categories. The first group consists of people who plan to travel to or visit Seoul for business in the near future. I hope they purchase our book from a local bookstore, Amazon, or at the airport, read it during their flight, and then explore Seoul with a deeper appreciation and understanding. The second group includes newcomers to the smart city field. Although the number of professionals in this area is growing, many still do not fully understand what a smart city is. I hope this book serves as an accessible introduction, providing a clear sense of what smart cities are all about.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

Kristi: I am taking a “reading break” for a few months because I don’t get to enjoy reading as much when I am writing, but I plan to start on a new book later this year about how public transport can save humanity.

Sung-Jin Park: I am currently working on a book about the Songdo Smart City. Songdo began as a new city envisioned to showcase what a future city integrated with IT technology would look like. From a smart city perspective, Songdo holds significant value, but it seems to be underrepresented in the smart city community. My goal is to publish this book within the next two years.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Sung-Jin Park: I am very satisfied with the services provided by Atmosphere Press. I did not realize how many different experts were needed throughout the publishing process. I received a lot of support in areas such as book cover design, story development, sales, and marketing. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for their assistance.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.