Theme: OVERFL0W

“Overflow” is a term rooted in programming—referring to the moment when data surpasses a system’s capacity, leading to unexpected behavior or collapse. But beyond its technical origin, overflow also captures what happens when we exceed personal limits, challenge established norms, or disrupt rigid systems of thought.

This year’s theme, Overflow, invites us to rethink the familiar frameworks that shape our lives. What if a single deviation—a bold decision, a quiet resistance, an unconventional idea—could trigger a shift not just within ourselves, but across the systems we live in? Our thoughts, social structures, and institutional boundaries often feel fixed, but even the smallest rupture can lead to profound transformation.

Through two sessions, we explore stories of those who have dared to exceed: breaking through what was once assumed, accepted, or untouchable. Overflow is not failure—it is motion, disruption, and the beginning of change.

TEDxAjouU is an independently organized TEDx community based at Ajou University, South Korea. Led by students, we curate ideas worth spreading—from local voices to global perspectives—driven by curiosity, creativity, and the courage to challenge limits.

Ajou University
206, World cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Suwon-si, Gyeonggido, 16499
South Korea

Eunsol HWANG

Student

With his bright and inviting energy, he has a natural way of bringing people together and creating new opportunities. He once took a bold step by running for student council president, but what followed was an unexpected failure and a wave of controversy. It was a tough blow, and for a moment, his resolve was shaken. But he didn’t walk away. Instead, he held onto the reason he started and chose to stay—leading the team through the storm. In doing so, he learned what it truly means to take responsibility, even when things don’t go as planned. The experience still leaves its mark, but rather than turning away, he chooses to face it. Because he knows now—failure isn’t something to hide. It’s part of the process. And that’s exactly why Eunsol Hwang will continue to take on challenges, without fear.

Gunchang LEE

Student

Gunchang Lee is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Financial Engineering at Ajou University. He analyzes financial and economic markets through a mathematical lens and builds models using programming—on a clear path toward becoming a quant. With a strong sense of direction and relentless execution, he has been steadily building his career. He once stepped onto the global stage with high hopes, only to face unexpected failure. It was a humbling moment that led to a period of deep reflection. But rather than backing down, he chose to push forward—turning failure into growth. Each challenge has become a step in refining his skills and strengthening his resolve.

Jaehyung PARK

Seocho District Council Member, Seoul Metropolitan Government

What would happen if a UX designer entered politics? For Jaehyung, the shift felt natural. With a background in UX design and experience at major companies like Shinsegae, he spent years studying how people interact with services—and how to improve those experiences. He came to see politics as a similar challenge: identifying pain points in public systems and designing better experiences for citizens. With that perspective, he chose a new path—public service. Now serving as a member of the 9th Seocho District Council in Seoul, he brings human-centered design into city policies and public services. Jaehyung studied civic governance at Kookmin University’s Graduate School of Politics and trained in UX at SADI (Samsung Art & Design Institute). He believes real change starts by understanding and improving how people experience the systems that shape their lives. His journey from UX to politics is both an experiment and a commitment—to build a government that works better for everyone.

Jinmuk CHOI

Student

Jinmuk used to drift wherever life took him—pushed by others, pulled by circumstance. But everything changed one night during a walk through Paris. Passing a fashion school, he saw students working passionately through the night, and for the first time, he felt the pull of a challenge he chose for himself. He threw himself into the world of fashion show production, driven purely by passion and curiosity. Though his first attempt at entering fashion school ended in rejection after just two months, Jinmuk didn’t stop there. Instead, he used the experience to reflect deeply on what he truly wanted. He went on to successfully lead a crowdfunding campaign for a fragrance project and secured an internship at Naver Cloud, opening new doors along the way. For Jinmuk, failure isn’t a setback—it’s a signal to adjust course and keep moving forward.

Jongyoun LEE

Student

Jongyoun believes that life is short—and your twenties, even shorter. That belief has shaped the way he lives: diving headfirst into new challenges, unafraid to fail, and always ready to rise again. Whether performing on stage, leading group presentations, or taking on leadership roles, he has built a life grounded in motion, curiosity, and relentless drive. To some, it may seem like he’s trying too hard. But for Jongyoun, this is simply the way he wants to live. The chaos of youth is real—far more complex than what’s visible or spoken. Jongyoun has faced that chaos with intensity, learning through every stumble and breakthrough. Now, he’s ready to share what he’s learned. If you’re in the middle of uncertainty, if you’re trying to make sense of the noise, his story might just offer a reason to keep going.

Jung-Hoon KIM

Founder and CEO of SPACEBEAM

What would it be like to watch Neil Armstrong’s moon landing in 4K? Seeing Earth from space often stirs a quiet awe—its blue calmness almost too perfect to believe. It can make us feel small like specks of dust, yet also fill us with wonder about the vastness beyond. Space feels distant and immense, too grand to fully grasp. We can only imagine its colors and shapes. But today, in an age where real-time conversation with someone across the globe is routine, we are beginning to look further—toward space itself. What will happen when we start communicating with space? Junghoon is working on that very question. After completing his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral coursework in astronomy at Seoul National University, he founded SpaceBeam Inc., where he now leads the development of space optical communication technologies. His work aims to bring this advanced form of communication into real-world use, from disaster management to environmental monitoring and space exploration.

Seunghun HYUN

Founder and Principal Architect at SUNLAB Architects

Gosiwons, co-living houses, and small urban spaces are often seen as cramped and limiting. But Seunghun believes that architecture can transform even the smallest spaces into meaningful places to live. To him, architecture isn’t just about buildings—it’s about shaping how people live and interact. After graduating from Sungkyunkwan University, he worked at Taedu Architects and 2105 Architects before founding Sunlab Architecture in 2013. As an adjunct professor and public architect for Seoul and Jeju, he focuses on urban and social housing issues. In 2018, his firm was certified as a social enterprise, recognizing its commitment to sustainable and community-centered design. Seunghun’s projects often start with a simple question: “What can this space offer us?” His work is a continuous exploration of how architecture can build not just structures, but better ways of living—together.

Taeho KIM

Co-founder of Wrtn Technologies

Every time a new tool emerges, the world shifts. Steam engines powered machines, electricity turned night into day, and the internet erased borders. Now, AI is beginning to reshape how we work and create. Taeho explores how AI can serve people in the most human way. In 2021, he co-founded Wrtn Technologies to build a future where AI helps us write, think, and create—not as a replacement, but as a partner. His goal is to design tools that support deeper thinking and freer expression. Wrtn received global attention with a CES 2023 Innovation Award, and Taeho was honored by Mitsubishi Research Institute with the ICF-BAP Tech Award for the practical impact of his work. Now based in Japan as CEO of Wrtn Technologies Japan, he continues to explore how humans and AI can meaningfully collaborate. Through the Korean Scholars’ Conference for Youth (KSCY), he also helps students reflect on how technology shapes our lives. “What will AI bring to us?” he asks—and works each day to find out.