Technology is a tool, not the boss: Why I started Lab98

Hi, I'm Vincent Jeon, the person who started Lab98. This is our first post, so I'll begin with how we think about our work.

Technology should make life easier

Lab98's slogan is one sentence.

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Technology should make life easier for people! Technology is not the master — it is just a tool.

In software, I often see technology become the goal. People change how they work just to use a new tool. A complicated system ends up keeping them busier than before. I think it should be the other way around. Technology should take work off people's hands and let them focus on what matters more.

So before asking "what can we build?", Lab98 asks "will the people using this have an easier time?"

The 98 in the name

The 98 in Lab98 is the year I was born, 1998. I didn't want to give it a grand meaning. I wanted to say that I put my own name behind this work. It's a promise to stand behind everything we deliver.

Three things Lab98 does

Lab98 works through three divisions. The fields differ, but the test is the same. Does the technology help people?

1. Lab98 Dev: Websites and software

We build company websites, online stores, and Mac and Windows software. Everything is custom-made from scratch for the client, with no templates. This is how a project goes.

1. 01Meeting: We work out the problem you want to solve and your goals together.
2. 02Mockup: We show you the screens and structure first.
3. 03Build: We build the real thing from the approved mockup.
4. 04Revisions: You try it out, and we fix what needs fixing.
5. 05Launch and code handover: We open the site and hand over the source code.
6. 06Wrap-up: We walk you through how to run it, then finish.

I care a lot about the code handover. What we build should belong to the client. If you later want someone else to take over, you shouldn't be stuck. Projects start at ₩2,000,000.

So far we've handled the planning, design and development of websites for New Korea Hope Broadcasting (NKHB), NKFI, Provision Bridge Fund, Pray4NK and BeFriends. We built the features each organization really needed, such as listening to broadcasts, prayer petition signatures, donation sign-ups, and insurance support applications and lookups.

2. Lab98 AI: AI training and community

The reason I started the AI division is simple. Looking around, I saw many people who aren't using AI well. A good tool had arrived, but many found it vaguely hard or even scary, or tried it a few times and gave up.

So we're building a proper AI training program. We're starting with online and in-person classes, school programs and corporate training. We're also building our own community platform, so people can keep asking questions and sharing after the class ends. The community will open soon.

The test is the same here. AI isn't meant to replace people. We want to help people use AI well as a tool.

3. Lab98 Faith: Software for churches and mission organizations

We build, distribute and support software for churches, mission organizations and Christians. Ministry has a lot of repetitive work. With tools that take some of it off your hands, you can spend more time on people.

Our first product is Praise Tool. It's a program for worship that prepares and presents song lyrics, sermon slides, Bible verses and video in one place. It can send output to the audience screen, the stage monitor and NDI for broadcast at the same time. It supports Mac and Windows, and launches on November 11, 2026. The price is ₩100,000, a perpetual license: buy once and use it for good.

Lab98 today

Right now, Lab98 is just me, the developer and founder. A small team has its advantages. You talk directly with me, and one person is responsible for the work from planning through development.

We're also looking for people to join us.

• Designer: someone who wants to work out screens that are easy on the people using them
• Full-stack developer: someone to build websites and software with us
• Writer: someone who can explain technology and ministry in plain words

Let's build together

If you have a website or program in mind, need AI training, or want a tool for your ministry, get in touch. We reply within 2 business days.

Technology is a tool, not the boss. Lab98 wants to be a company that builds good tools and helps people use them well.