First Place Victory at Global Startup Center Hackathon 2025
Our team celebrating the first place victory at Global Startup Center Hackathon 2025
The Victory
February 2025 marked a significant milestone in my development journey when our team secured first place at the Global Startup Center Hackathon. As the lead developer alongside my teammate Khumoyun, we created something that perfectly bridged technology with cultural appreciation—a Chrome extension that revolutionizes how K-drama enthusiasts discover and experience Korean cuisine.
The Winning Idea: K-Food
Our winning project, K-Food, addresses a fascinating intersection of entertainment and culinary culture. The concept emerged from a simple observation: millions of people worldwide watch Korean dramas on Netflix, often becoming curious about the delicious-looking foods featured in these shows, but having no easy way to identify or access them.
The Problem We Solved
Korean dramas have exploded in global popularity, with viewers often captivated not just by the storylines but by the mouth-watering Korean dishes featured throughout. However, there was no seamless way for viewers to:
- Identify specific Korean foods appearing in their favorite dramas
- Learn about these dishes while watching
- Find places to order or experience these foods themselves
Our Solution
K-Food is a Chrome extension that intelligently identifies Korean foods in Netflix dramas and provides instant information through non-intrusive pop-ups. When viewers are watching a K-drama and food appears on screen, our extension displays the exact name of the dish at the precise moment it appears.
Real-time food identification pop-up during drama viewing
Technical Implementation
Phase 1: The Hackathon MVP
During the intense hackathon period, we developed the core functionality:
Chrome Extension (JavaScript)
- Real-time Netflix timeline integration
- Precise moment detection for food appearances
- Non-disruptive pop-up system
- Seamless redirection to our platform
Manual Data Curation
- Extensive research of popular Korean dramas
- Frame-by-frame analysis to identify exact food appearance timestamps
- Database creation linking specific moments to Korean dishes
- Netflix timeline API integration for accurate synchronization
Rapid Website Development (Webflow)
- Quick deployment of a functional website
- Korean drama and food catalog
- Basic ordering system integration
- User-friendly interface for food discovery
Phase 2: Post-Hackathon Evolution
The evolved K-Food platform
After our victory, I completely rebuilt the platform with enterprise-grade technology:
Frontend (TypeScript + Next.js)
- Type-safe development for better maintainability
- Server-side rendering for optimal performance
- Responsive design for all devices
- Enhanced user experience with modern UI components
Backend (Nest.js)
- Scalable API architecture
- Robust data management
- Authentication and authorization systems
- Integration with external services
AI-Powered Chat System
- Intelligent food and drama recommendations powered by RAG
- Restaurant discovery assistance
- Cultural context and cooking tips
- Powered by advanced language models
Vector Database Integration (Qdrant)
- Semantic search capabilities
- Real-time information embedding
- Accurate and contextual responses
- Continuous learning from user interactions
The Platform Evolution
From Direct Sales to Marketplace
The platform evolved from a direct food sales model to a comprehensive marketplace:
Restaurant Registration System
- Local Korean restaurants can register their establishments
- Menu integration with K-drama food connections
- Delivery
Team Dynamics and Collaboration
Our diverse team working together during the hackathon
Our success was built on effective team collaboration:
Development Team
- Lead Developer (Me): Chrome extension development, full-stack architecture, technical leadership
- Co-Developer (Khumoyun): Frontend implementation, API integration, user experience optimization, content preparation
Strategy and Operations Team
- Business Strategy Leader (Damkyeom): Market analysis, monetization models, partnership development
- Data Preparation and Content generation (Kiki, Esther): Korean drama research, food identification, cultural accuracy verification
- Marketing (Hilina): Brand development, user acquisition strategies, social media presence
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Netflix Timeline Synchronization
One of our biggest technical challenges was achieving precise synchronization with Netflix's playback timeline. We solved this by:
- Reverse-engineering Netflix's internal timeline API
- Implementing frame-accurate detection algorithms
- Creating fallback mechanisms for different playback scenarios
- Optimizing for minimal performance impact
Scalability and Performance
Post-hackathon development focused on:
- Microservices architecture for better scalability
- Caching strategies for improved response times
- Database optimization for large-scale data handling
- CDN integration for global content delivery
- RAG implementation for advanced search capabilities about the restaurant, food, and Korean dramas.
Component Interaction Flow
Lessons Learned
Hackathon Success Factors
- Clear Problem Definition: We identified a specific, relatable problem
- Technical Feasibility: Balanced ambition with realistic implementation
- Team Synergy: Leveraged diverse skills effectively
- User-Centric Design: Focused on actual user needs and experiences
- Cultural Sensitivity: Respected and celebrated Korean culture authentically
Post-Hackathon Development
- Scalability Planning: Always design with growth in mind
- User Feedback Integration: Continuous improvement based on real usage
- Partnership Development: Building ecosystem relationships early
- Technical Debt Management: Balancing speed with code quality
- Cultural Responsibility: Maintaining authenticity while scaling
Conclusion
Winning first place at the Global Startup Center Hackathon 2025 validated our belief that technology can serve as a powerful bridge between cultures. K-Food started as a simple idea during a weekend hackathon but has evolved into a platform that celebrates Korean culture while solving real problems for millions of K-drama enthusiasts worldwide.
The journey from a Chrome extension built in JavaScript to a comprehensive TypeScript/Next.js platform with AI-powered features demonstrates the importance of iterative development and user-focused innovation. Most importantly, it shows how technical skills can be applied to create meaningful cultural connections.
Our team with the first place trophy at GSC Hackathon 2025
You can find the chrome extension here: K-drama food finder
And try the demo website here: [Legacy] K-drama food website