'Gifted Talent Discovery Team' Origami Boy to Enter University of Oxford with Full Scholarship... A Journey Toward Dreaming of Becoming a Roboticist

News has been delivered that Kang Jun-gyu, who previously appeared on 'Gifted Talent Discovery Team' as an origami prodigy, will enter the University of Oxford as a full scholarship student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Kang Jun-gyu is scheduled to enter the University of Oxford as a freshman this coming October.

Robot design started with origami, leading to a perfect score admission to Oxford

During his childhood, Kang Jun-gyu built the foundation for robot manufacturing through origami. In the video, Kang Jun-gyu expressed his desire to personally create robots like Iron Man and stated that he chose origami as a way to realize this. He did not stop at simply folding paper, but used it as a way to draw blueprints for desired robots or animals by performing origami simulations in his head.

This process was also evident in the University of Oxford admission process. Kang Jun-gyu recorded a perfect score on this entrance exam. According to the video, the average score of successful candidates for the exam is usually in the 70s, and the overall average is at the 40s level, but Kang Jun-gyu proved his ability by receiving a perfect score. He will receive full scholarship benefits worth approximately 700 million won, which includes not only four years of free tuition from the University of Oxford but also living expenses, airfare, research equipment support, and internship programs.

The decision for homeschooling and the parents' educational philosophy

In Kang Jun-gyu's growth process, there was the special choice of 'homeschooling.' His parents decided on homeschooling when Kang Jun-gyu found school life difficult around the age of 10. The parents stated that they initially thought school education was a given, but after observing the child's condition, they decided that not sending him to school was the right choice.

Rather than teaching Kang Jun-gyu directly, the parents chose a method of watching so that the child could find his own way. When Kang Jun-gyu was immersed in reading books or making something, the parents focused on helping to convert the child's concentration into study or vocational motivation. In particular, Kang Jun-gyu showed enough concentration to continue for 5 to 6 hours a day when immersed in origami, and the parents supported the child's growth by observing this energy.

From making Internet of Things (IoT) robots to future entrepreneurship goals

His interest in robots led to practical manufacturing. Kang Jun-gyu began making robots using Internet of Things (IoT) technology, such as manufacturing an automatic feeder that can remotely provide food for a pet dog. He has built an award-winning record in robot competitions by making automatic feeders using cans and LEGO parts, or manufacturing IoT lights that control light switches using mobile devices.

Currently aiming to be a roboticist, Kang Jun-gyu described himself as a 'type that competes with quantity' in his own study style. He explained that rather than following a set routine, he uses a method of securing the amount of learning by maximizing the time spent sitting at his desk while drinking coffee.

Regarding his plans after university graduation, Kang Jun-gyu revealed the ultimate goal of founding a robot company. He expressed his ambition to gain practical experience in a laboratory or at a robot company site after graduation, rather than starting a business immediately, and finally establish a robot company.