MetaBuddy Launches: AI English Conversation App That Understands Mixed Korean-English Speech
An AI-based English conversation app that understands and corrects imperfect English mixed with Korean has been launched.
EdTech startup Theta One Korea has simultaneously released the AI English conversation application 'MetaBuddy' for iOS and Android.
MetaBuddy is a service where users practice English by conversing with an AI English friend. Unlike phone-based English tutoring with fixed schedules, it's available anytime, anywhere. It also addresses common issues with phone tutoring, such as native speaker expertise and Korean comprehension.
MetaBuddy matches native speaker proficiency. Even when users mix Korean into their English, the AI corrects the Korean sentences into English. If users get stuck and speak in Korean, the app converts it to English expressions—all thanks to speech recognition technology.
MetaBuddy also provides educational content including vocabulary, idioms, grammar, and expression corrections related to the Korean portions used. Users can repeatedly practice these to improve their English conversation skills. The conversation content adapts to individual levels and interests.
One of MetaBuddy's strengths is its 'hyper-personalization strategy.' The AI saves conversation data, allowing it to continue previous discussions or select topics the user finds interesting in subsequent conversations. It analyzes users comprehensively and provides relevant educational content.
MetaBuddy costs 9,900 won per month, which is cheaper than phone-based English tutoring that charges by the hour.
CEO Kim Chan-woo of Theta One Korea said, "Because the AI explains even when you mix in Korean, it can replace phone English tutoring, and you can use it anytime, anywhere without cost or time burden. It can improve English conversation skills for young people and bring changes to their personal lives."
CEO Kim graduated from Williams College with a degree in Computer Science, and the co-founder and CTO graduated from Seoul National University's Industrial Engineering department. They won an Air Force startup competition during their military service and founded Theta One Korea last year based on that idea.
CEO Kim stated, "We will expand our service to include Chinese and Japanese. Once the service is validated in Korea, we are developing concrete plans to expand so that Chinese people can learn Korean, English, and Japanese, and Americans can learn Korean and Japanese."
