Grace is a near native of Los Angeles, California by way of South Korea and is fluent in Korean and proficient in Japanese. She received a B.A. in political science with a concentration in business management from Columbia University with a curricular focus on international relations and culture in East Asia. While at Columbia, she served as a research assistant for Dr. Sue Mi Terry, tracking issues regarding U.S.-Korean affairs and Korean reunification.

After graduation, Grace worked as a program coordinator at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. Prior to her years in New York, she acquired extensive experience in the Los Angeles hospitality industry, as a restaurant manager and event planner. Grace enjoys baking elaborate pastries, international travel, playing video games, weightlifting, and cats.