Global app battle excites Korean quartet

Members of Team Lumos pose at the headquarters of Microsoft Korea in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, during a recent interview. From left are Lee Keun-wook, Choi Nak-kwon, Oh Jung-min and Park Hwa-jin. / Courtesy of Microsoft

By Kim Yoo-chul

It’s not about becoming the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates but about having fun doing what they like most.

Four college students, who will represent Korea in the 11th MS Imagine Cup, feel excited going up against collegians from other countries in an “app” battle.

Team Lumos said that they will wow the audience and judges by presenting its projection tool, “Lumos App.”

The team consists of Choi Nak-kwon and Oh Jung-min from Hanyang University; Lee Keun-wook from Myeongji University, and Park Hwa-jin from Sungshin Women’s University.

“We love challenges. We are ready,” said Park during an interview. “It’s about our dream. That’s why we are together,” said Lee from Myeongji.

In March, Lumos was selected as the Korean National Team for the Cup finals, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia, from July 8 to 12. A total of $1 million is up for grabs.

Lumos’ projection mapping is designed for Microsoft’s Windows 8 mobile platform.

It allows users to run animation on walls with music by connecting a simple projector ― either a notebook or tablet PC. Real-time video images are available and the use of the application can be expanded utilizing Windows 8’s multi-touch interface.

“Conventional platforms just follow an organized story line but our solution is easy to use and does not cost a lot,” said Oh.

The Korean team will compete with more than 30 finalists in the category of innovation, the most heated category in this year’s contest.

“Our team hopes the world will appreciate our platform. It will benefit many companies and help create a new eco-system,” Oh said.

Choi said that he hopes that all users will one day make use of the application, as it delivers a valued experience in a new format.