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Meet the company: Coding-focused YouTuber JoCoding

In recent years, there’s been a growing buzz around learning to code in South Korea, especially with the rise of tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI), like ChatGPT. Amidst the sea of information, one YouTube channel stands out to many aspiring programmers – JoCoding. 

With over 637,000 subscribers at the time of writing, this channel offers well-rounded educational content for those brave enough to dive into the world of computer programming, all while adding a touch of entertainment.

“Compared to other channels, JoCoding focuses on practical uses of coding,” Dong Keun Jo, the founder and host of the channel, told 4i MAG at their office in Seoul, South Korea. “While many similar channels focus on the theoretical aspects of coding, JoCoding emphasises the practical know-how of AI and coding that viewers can apply on their own.”

The channel is run by five people, including Jo himself, whose roles range from content producer to developer who works on research-related projects. Having a studio of their own right beside the office, the team films and edits their videos on the spot, allowing them to respond more promptly to news and events concerning emerging technologies.
While the channel’s content covers not only coding but also a wide range of fields, including AI, several members say they did not study computer programming at university and are self-taught.

“I didn’t major in computer programming at university. It was only in my final year that I first encountered the concept of coding,” said Jo. “I wanted to create an app as my business, so I considered collaborating with another developer to make it happen. However, as a university student, finding or hiring a developer to partner with wasn’t easy. So, I decided to study how to code.”

The work-life balance at JoCoding seems quite flexible. Members carry out their daily responsibilities either remotely or at the office. JoCoding’s central theme is to teach how to code easily and engagingly. The channel has been experimenting with various formats to catch viewers’ attention, like variety shows with celebrity guests and even dating shows featuring developers.

“We introduced a programme called ‘AI Clone Singer’ once, where we identify which singing voice is performed by a human and which is generated by AI,” Yoonho Kim, contents producer at JoCoding, told 4i MAG. “After uploading it, the viewer response was overwhelmingly positive, and I felt proud of myself for creating such a high-quality show.”

The team is looking forward to producing more content that can be helpful for those who want to learn more about coding in 2025. They believe that platforms like ChatGPT have lowered the barrier to entering the world of computer programming for those who have little knowledge about it but want to make something of their own by writing codes. 

“The way we study coding has evolved with the advent of the AI era,” Jo said. “I plan to update my curriculum to align with this shift and introduce more lectures corresponding to the era.”

Sunny Um is a Seoul-based journalist working with 4i Magazine. She writes and talks about policies, business updates, and social issues around the Korean tech industry. She is best known for in-depth explanations of local issues for readers who need a better understanding of the Korean context. Sunny’s works appeared in prominent Korean news outlets, such as the Korea Times and Wired Korea. She currently makes regular writing contributions to newsrooms worldwide, such as Maritime Fairtrade, a non-profit media organization based in Singapore. She also works as a content strategist at 1021 Creative. A person who holds a Master’s degree in Political Economy from King’s College London, she loves to follow up on news of Korean politics and economy when she’s not writing.