This article examines the success factors of three high achieving North Korean refugee college students in South Korea, enrolled in top-ranked universities. Drawing on in-depth one-on-one interviews, the participants discussed their personal beliefs about how they identify themselves, why and how they adapted in South Korea and made their way into prestigious colleges, and what they dream about for their future. These data elicited several success factors, which I classified into three categories: (1) individual factors, (2) family factors, and (3) community and societal factors. Strong sense of responsibility for one's own life, optimism and gratitude toward life, self-efficacy, hard work, clear goal-setting, being open about one's identity as North Korean refugees, and forgiveness appear to be individual success factors. Having accompanying family in the host country is likely to function as a family factor that helps North Korean refugee youth perform well in school. Social support and community integration, special screening, and academic support can be positive community and societal factors. Based on the findings, I proposed several practical suggestions. This study provides an example of shifting or negotiating how we conduct education research with refugee students, and strategies and knowledge to promote their equal rights to education.