[Next K-Startup] Presenting a Standardized Model for the Hit-or-Miss Interior Market

Jang Chageun, CEO of MyHouse, "Total Interior Platform Launching in November"
Standardization of Materials, Design, and Construction... Thorough Quality Control

Editor's NoteThe competition rate for the first accelerating program of Next Elevation, a startup accelerator established by Asia Economy, was 26 to 1. Over 130 startups from various fields applied, and 5 startups were finally selected. The competition is still ongoing. Startups selected as outstanding companies during the 3-month program can receive up to 100 million KRW in investment. Next Elevation plans to continue with follow-up investment attraction through a demo day in December. The curtain has already risen on this heated competition. Given the fierce competition, the ambitions of the 5 startups are extraordinary. We visited the site where the forging for innovation is in full swing.

Jang Chageun, CEO of My House. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

"We will solve the information asymmetry in the interior market where prices vary greatly depending on the company and materials."

Jang Cha-geun, CEO of MyHouse, who entered the architecture and interior market by establishing Bi-yul Architecture (now Bi-yul) in 2015, recognized a chronic problem in the industry during the business process. In architectural design, a detailed estimate with no margin of error in material dimensions, quality, standards, and prices is essential. However, in interiors, estimates are often vague and imprecise. CEO Jang said, "I thought that interiors should have a professional process like architecture to reduce customer damage and help the market develop," adding, "To create a standard in the interior industry, we established the MyHouse corporation this year and are in the final stages of building the platform." The MyHouse application will be released this month.

MyHouse is a service that helps customers design interiors for desired spaces within their set budgets. It standardizes construction scope and methods based on years of construction data. Design patterns preferred by customers are typified and optionized, and estimates and prices are fixed. Consumers can choose from four options: Repair, Standard, Premium, and High-end. To make it easy to visualize the changed home, 3D modeling images are also provided. CEO Jang explained, "When customers issue an estimate through MyHouse, a professional designer provides one-on-one guidance," adding, "After reviewing the selected materials and finalizing the contract, construction begins immediately."

MyHouse meticulously manages construction quality through a B2B system called 'MyCrew.' MyCrew is a construction organization where MyHouse recruits and separately manages competent interior site managers in each region. MyCrew carries out construction according to the standards established by MyHouse and receives compensation accordingly. During construction, MyHouse dispatches separate supervision experts to evaluate whether the work is being done according to standards. CEO Jang said, "Relatively junior site managers had limited quality control scope based on industry practices," adding, "They told us they were satisfied because following our standards allowed them to produce better quality results than usual."

MyHouse service image example.

If defects or problems occur after interior construction, MyHouse takes full responsibility. CEO Jang said, "In terms of after-sales service (A/S), MyCrew will be completely excluded, and the MyHouse customer service team will manage it directly," adding, "We will be a total platform that communicates with both customers and MyCrew and resolves issues."

MyHouse currently operates a directly managed gallery (showroom) in Gwangju, Jeonnam. It is a space where customers can touch materials and experience the interior of the home they want to create in advance. They plan to open a Seoul branch by the end of the year and expand galleries nationwide.

CEO Jang plans to implement MyHouse in the long term as a metaverse (extended virtual world). Customers will be able to visit their current residence or the house they plan to move into in virtual reality (VR) and experience remodeling with furniture and materials like a game. CEO Jang said, "When customers enter their home address, a 3D image will appear, and by clicking on the modules we provide, they will be applied in real-time to the interior space," adding, "This is a highly advanced model we plan to introduce after launching the MyHouse service."

CEO Jang is focusing on Vietnam as the first target for overseas market expansion. Newly built apartments in Vietnam are generally sold without interior options as minus options. Near newly built apartments with imminent move-in dates, so-called 'tteotdabangs' (fly-by-night interior companies) compete fiercely to attract customers. Some take only deposits and disappear, causing many cases of damage. CEO Jang said, "We plan to enter the Vietnamese apartment interior market, which is not well organized, sell modularized products, and build trust," adding, "We are exploring business opportunities by attempting contact with several places."

Jang Chageun, CEO of My House. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.