Bringing Imagination to Life: Byun Jung-won and Lee Kyung-jin's AR Picture Book Revolution
In this rapidly advancing era of technology, AR (Augmented Reality) is no longer just a concept from science fiction films; it is becoming an integral part of our daily lives. Now, this innovative technology has been combined with children's picture books, allowing story characters to "come alive," creating a brand-new reading experience!
This journey of innovation, from flat pages to dynamic visuals, originates from the dream of two South Korean immigrants, Byun Jung-won and Lee Kyung-jin. Courageously embarking on a path that merges digital technology with art, they successfully brought picture books to life, introducing an unprecedented interactive reading model.
The spark of this dream came from one bold thought: "What if 2D picture books could combine with 3D AR technology?"
Byun Jung-won has elevated her picture book creations into AR interactive experiences, allowing readers to enjoy dynamic fun. (Photo／Screenshot from New Immigrants Global News Network)
From Love's Adventure to a Dream Fulfilled: Byun Jung-won's Brave Journey
This story of innovation began eight years ago with a remarkable encounter. During a trip, Byun Jung-won met her now-beloved partner, Lin Wei-ci. For love, she moved to Taiwan and became a new immigrant.
Not only did she adapt to life in a foreign country, but she also emerged as a dedicated "super mom," balancing caring for her daughter with her passion for creating picture books. For her, every moment of the day became a golden opportunity to create — from brief breaks while her child was at school to quiet hours after bedtime.
Before moving to Taiwan, Byun Jung-won was already a well-known picture book author in South Korea. Her works are known for their delicate and tender style, capturing the warmth of everyday life. Yet, she refused to settle for her previous achievements. Instead, she boldly stepped into a new realm — integrating AR technology to revolutionize the traditional picture book experience.
Merging Technology with Art: Bringing Picture Books to Life
The inspiration for this idea came from a powerful art exhibition.
That day, Byun Jung-won stood before a mesmerizing display that used light and shadow to create a three-dimensional effect. At that moment, a daring thought struck her: "What if picture books weren’t just static?"
She began to imagine — if AR technology could animate characters and turn story scenes into immersive 3D worlds, wouldn’t it make reading more engaging and magical?
This vision didn’t just remain a passing idea — it became her new goal. With encouragement from her husband and partner, Lee Kyung-jin, they turned their "digital art meets AR fusion" project into a proposal and successfully applied for an NT$80,000 grant from Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency’s “Dream Project.”
However, making this dream a reality was no easy task —
Challenge One: Selecting the right type of picture book that could seamlessly integrate with AR technology.
Challenge Two: Ensuring the augmented virtual elements aligned precisely with the book’s visuals, avoiding misalignment or blurry content during AR scanning.
After countless adjustments and technical breakthroughs, they finally succeeded in developing an interactive picture book. With a dedicated mobile app, readers can scan the book or images from Instagram, making the characters spring to life on screen — as if stepping into a magical fairytale world.
Byun Jung-won shares merchandise related to her work "The Secret of Inter-floor Noise". (Photo／Screenshot from New Immigrants Global News Network)
Chasing Dreams Bravely: Redefining the Reading Experience
Byun Jung-won’s achievement is not just a triumph of technology but a powerful story of courage and innovation. Her journey proves that no matter how far from home you may be, passion and persistence can carve out a path of success.
Her AR picture books have not only transformed the reading experience for children but also demonstrated how technology can reshape education, art, and even the world itself.
Whether it was moving to Taiwan for love or pursuing her creative dream, Byun Jung-won’s story carries a powerful message:
“Creativity and inspiration exist in our everyday lives — if you dare to dream, the world will change because of it.”
Golden Quote: "Only those brave enough to dream can create miracles the world has never seen!"
