[Dongguk University Campus Town X IT Donga] Since 2022, Dongguk University has participated in the Seoul Campus Town project, creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the northwestern urban area. By supporting deep tech and cultural content startups, it was selected as an excellent case of entrepreneurship development for two consecutive years and received an A+ grade in the 2024 Seoul Campus Town performance evaluation. IT Donga introduces promising startups growing with Dongguk University Campus Town.

Language is the oldest tool that makes humans human. If language is a seed, writing is the process of nurturing it. People connect with the world by learning to speak and prove themselves by writing. Although the frequency of writing has decreased with technological advancement, the importance of writing is still emphasized as the depth of thought is ultimately revealed through language.


The edutech startup Poplar Planet began with the philosophy that 'writing is more than just a learning tool; it has the power to connect people and the world.' It offers two key services utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology: ▲ 'Saenggeulbanggeul,' an AI writing diagnostic service based on literacy for elementary students, and ▲ 'Aigo Korean,' a job-specific Korean learning service. Poplar Planet aims to provide personalized learning and data-driven feedback to users through AI technology. It not only seeks to secure a domestic customer base but also aims to introduce Korean language education to overseas markets amid the growing interest in K-content.

Kim Ye-jin, CEO of Poplar Planet and a graduate of the Department of Linguistics at Korea University, experienced the power of language education firsthand by teaching reading and essay writing to elementary students. Based on this experience, she founded Poplar Planet in 2024 with colleagues she met at the Apple Developer Academy @ POSTECH. Kim Ye-jin stated, "I want to help learners grow themselves and the world, proving and expanding their value through language."

Saenggeulbanggeul, Combining Offline Materials, Online Content, and AI Feedback


Developed by Poplar Planet, 'Saenggeulbanggeul' is an AI-based home learning program for elementary reading and essay writing. It provides a curriculum by grade level, covering all elementary school subjects and current issues. Children can enjoy writing learning content tailored to their interests or levels. AI provides real-time corrections and feedback, and learners can visualize their literacy growth process through data.

Particularly, Saenggeulbanggeul enhances the effectiveness of writing learning by linking textbooks, online content, and AI feedback. Kim Ye-jin noted, "It is designed so that parents can become their children's 'best teachers' at home," adding, "Feedback from parents and children who have used the service is reflected in service improvements." Saenggeulbanggeul is provided as a web-based service, considering user characteristics.

In Saenggeulbanggeul, AI generates reading materials tailored to different levels and provides real-time corrections and feedback to enhance learning effectiveness. Kim Ye-jin explained, "Writing education should not just distinguish right from wrong but should suggest ways for children to take a step further," emphasizing that this approach helps children develop an interest in writing and continue to grow.

She further stated, "At Poplar Planet, AI helps learners clearly understand what they have learned and connect it to the next stage of learning," noting that "delivering data-driven feedback accurately yet warmly is the biggest challenge."

Aigo Korean, Field-Centered Korean Education

Aigo Korean is a Korean language learning service for manufacturing and caregiving personnel preparing for employment and migration to Korea from Southeast Asia. While general language learning apps focus on daily conversation or hobbies, Aigo Korean teaches vocabulary and document writing skills necessary for specific job groups to perform their duties.

For example, caregivers focus on learning colloquial expressions needed for communication with the elderly and document writing skills required for record-keeping. Kim Ye-jin explained, "Foreign workers coming to Korea for employment need not only conversational Korean but also document work skills crucial for promotion."

Ultimately, providing differentiated value to learners with a clear purpose of employment is key. Kim Ye-jin stated, "While the number of Southeast Asian workers wishing to migrate and work in Korea is increasing, they often lack the Korean language skills needed in actual work settings due to focusing solely on exam preparation," adding that the focus is on developing language skills necessary for actual work, such as document work, beyond simple communication.

Aigo Korean is optimized for mobile learning, allowing use anytime, anywhere. As a job-specific service, AI provides guidelines and feedback tailored to actual work situations. Kim Ye-jin noted, "This strategy considers the learning environment of professionals with frequent mobility."

Service Launch Within the Year... Aiming for Overseas Market Entry


Established in 2024, Poplar Planet is actively collecting user feedback through pilot operations before the official launch of Saenggeulbanggeul. Based on continuous service improvements, it plans to launch a web-based service within the year and secure a stable customer base next year. Kim Ye-jin stated, "Feedback such as 'a child who disliked writing has come to enjoy it' is the most rewarding."

Additionally, Aigo Korean is also set for official release within the year, following development and verification, alongside Saenggeulbanggeul. Preparations for overseas market entry are underway. Kim Ye-jin stated, "We are preparing for technology verification in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Singapore, as well as the U.S. market," adding that they plan to gather potential user feedback locally to explore effective educational methods. In the medium to long term, they plan to build job-specific language data in collaboration with local partners overseas. In September, Aigo Korean will be demonstrated at the Edutech Fair Korea Expo.

Poplar Planet was selected as a resident company through the Dongguk University Campus Town program this year. Kim Ye-jin stated, "As an early-stage startup, there were difficulties in business operations, but we received support for office space and essential education and mentoring in the early stages of entrepreneurship. Networking with startups founded around the same time was also a great help."

Poplar Planet plans to expand its services to languages with high demand, such as Japanese, following Korean, to introduce a revenue model that includes the entire educational process from vocabulary to speaking. Finally, Kim Ye-jin stated, "Language is the power that grows individuals and society, and Poplar Planet will realize that power through technology and education."

IT Donga Reporter Kim Ye-ji (yj@itdonga.com)

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