Feb 17, 2025

Building Bridges in Tech: A Journey of Passion, Innovation, and Community

“The integrated cable management system keeps my desk clutter-free, with all wires neatly stored inside the unit. As a remote developer, having a clean and comfortable workspace is essential.”

Jaewung Lee and Yang Qu are powerhouse Microsoft MVPs, trailblazing in the .NET and WPF worlds. Jaewung’s groundbreaking work on Korea’s first WPF project and Yang’s creative shift from broadcasting to tech have made them global influencers. Through their tutorials, workshops, and WPF Inside Out book, they’re inspiring and empowering developers everywhere, building a vibrant tech community across cultures.

Jaewung Lee and Yang Qu Seated Together in Their Home Office

In 2008, Jaewung Lee took his first steps into the world of technology with Korea’s inaugural WPF project, setting the stage for what would become a remarkable career. Alongside him, Yang (Vicky) Qu, originally from Nanjing, China, ventured to Korea to pursue her studies, unknowingly setting the course for a powerful journey that would merge their dreams, cultures, and professional aspirations. Their paths intertwined, not only as a couple but as two forces in the tech world, where their dedication to learning, sharing, and creating would leave a lasting impact on global tech communities.

Jaewung’s love for technology was sparked early. As a key player in Korea's main .NET community, he earned his reputation by answering technical queries, contributing to open-source projects, and publishing insightful WPF articles. His career reached a pivotal moment when he developed a WPF version of the League of Legends client. This project, widely admired, propelled him to the prestigious title of Microsoft MVP—a recognition he has carried proudly for years. This honor pushed Jaewung to become a mentor, hosting workshops and seminars that continue to inspire and empower developers.

Yang’s journey, while uniquely her own, was equally transformative. Initially dreaming of becoming a broadcaster, her innate love for languages led her to master Korean and English through online communities. After moving to Korea, she began her career in video editing, but it was her meeting with Jaewung that sparked her interest in software development. This new passion blended seamlessly with her creative skills, and before long, she too earned the title of Microsoft MVP for her exceptional contributions to the tech world. What began as a curious exploration soon turned into a journey that would redefine her future and shape her own legacy in tech.

As passionate developers and influencers, Jaewung and Yang understand the importance of an optimized workspace. Whether coding late into the night, filming technical tutorials, or engaging with their community, they needed a setup that balanced functionality and aesthetics. That’s where Hexcal Studio became an integral part of their workflow.

Drawn to Hexcal’s minimalist, industrial aesthetic and commitment to functional design, Jaewung found that products like Hexcal Studio perfectly complemented his workspace. “The integrated cable management system keeps my desk clutter-free, with all wires neatly stored inside the unit,” he shares. “As a remote developer, having a clean and comfortable workspace is essential.” The multi-functional ports on the sides and back allow easy connectivity, while the desktop lighting feature enhances focus during late-night work sessions. These small but impactful details have helped create an environment where creativity and productivity thrive.

Close-up of Their Desk Setup Featuring Hexcal Studio

Even before Jaewung became a Microsoft MVP, Yang was deeply embedded in his community efforts. Their shared experiences, attending over 30 offline workshops and networking with Korean MVPs, fostered her own passion for community engagement. Her unique blend of creativity, linguistic skills, and technical prowess became a cornerstone of their mission to build a global community for developers.

Today, they share their knowledge on their YouTube channel, @JamesNet214, where they offer free tutorials on WPF and other technical topics. With videos available in multiple languages, their channel has become a platform for developers from across the globe. In just a year, they gained over 6,000 subscribers, proving the universal appeal of their content and their commitment to making learning accessible to all.

Jaewung and Yang: Collaborative Knowledge Sharing

For Jaewung, the true reward lies in connecting with developers. Through workshops and collaborations, he fosters a space for innovation and inspiration. One of his most celebrated projects is his League of Legends client series on GitHub, developed using WPF, Uno Platform, and WinUI3 UWP. This unified architecture earned him recognition from the .NET Foundation, underscoring his position as an influential thought leader in the tech community.

Yang has found her own sense of fulfillment through creating educational content. She’s produced free tutorials on YouTube and BiliBili, reaching an ever-growing audience of developers. Her most recent venture, comprehensive courses on Udemy, includes multilingual subtitles, ensuring her expertise reaches students across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Creating these tutorials has been a challenging yet rewarding process, and the positive feedback from her global audience fuels her passion for continued learning and sharing.

Focused Workflow in Their Minimalist Workspace

Their contributions extend beyond tutorials and books. Together, they authored WPF Inside Out, a guide designed to help developers navigate real-world challenges. Accompanied by a two-hour video, the book provides practical solutions and insights for complex projects, demonstrating their dedication to making difficult concepts accessible to all.

Public speaking is another area where they’ve made a substantial impact. In 2023, Yang hosted a 16-week WPF series in Korea, livestreamed on YouTube. These four-hour sessions, which required meticulous planning and execution, continue to benefit developers who revisit the recordings for fresh insights. Jaewung’s workshops, including the 2024 Seoul session on migrating from WPF to Uno Platform, have also played a pivotal role in shaping the future of tech, driving innovation, and sparking new ideas within the developer community.

Jaewung Lee Speaking at a Tech Webinar

At the heart of their work is a deep belief in the power of community. Through their platforms, they distribute their book, open-source projects, and tutorial videos, all aimed at making learning accessible and impactful. Their focus on integrating AI and OpenSilver into their work signals their commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, creating a space where developers from diverse backgrounds can come together to collaborate, learn, and innovate.

Jaewung and Yang’s journey is one of dedication, passion, and collaboration. As an international couple, they prove that technology knows no boundaries, inspiring developers worldwide. A well-designed workspace fuels their creativity, and Hexcal Studio is key to their setup—keeping it clutter-free and highly functional. With integrated cable management, multi-functional ports, and desktop lighting, it allows them to seamlessly code, film tutorials, and host workshops. From Korea to China and beyond, their legacy as Microsoft MVPs highlights the power of shared knowledge and global innovation.

Their story is a reminder that when two minds, cultures, and passions come together, the impact can ripple across the world—shaping communities, inspiring the next generation of developers, and leaving an indelible mark on the world of technology.

Jaewung Lee and Yang Qu's website and Youtube channel:

Website: https://jamesnet.dev/
Youtube: @Jamesnet