Research + Impact

Bandi originated as an emotional wellbeing intervention project within our university research lab, where we continuously asked ourselves: "How can we help someone feel safer with their own emotions?" This simple yet profound question guided every decision in our development process.

Our approach is backed by extensive research in emotion regulation, reflection-based journaling, mental health literacy, and behavioral psychology. We studied how people naturally process emotions, what barriers prevent them from seeking help, and how digital tools can complement—not replace— human connection and professional support.

Our research process included 3 comprehensive design sprints, 9 user testing sessions with approximately 150 participants, and in-depth interviews with both users and mental health professionals. Each iteration taught us something new about the delicate balance between providing support and respecting user autonomy.

Currently in our pre-launch phase, we've conducted extensive testing with fewer than 150 users, primarily in Korea. Now, we're preparing to scale globally, bringing Bandi's evidence-based approach to diverse, underserved populations worldwide.

In our most comprehensive study, we worked with 10 individuals who had previously received professional counseling or psychiatric treatment. Over three months, these participants used Bandi at least 5 times per week to reflect on their emotional states. The results were encouraging: 8 out of 10 said they would turn to Bandi when feeling down or struggling, while 2 preferred traditional offline journaling methods—a valuable reminder that different approaches work for different people.

We're now entering an exciting phase of global outreach, committed to reaching diverse, underserved populations worldwide and ensuring that emotional wellness support isn't limited by geography, language, or economic barriers.

Our work has been validated through extensive consultation with mental health professionals and recognized by leading institutions in technology and innovation.

All team members are active participants in SW Factory Lab and VentureUs (IT startup society) since 2023, ensuring we stay connected to the latest developments in technology and innovation. Our 2025 global launch with multilingual support represents the next major milestone in making emotional wellness accessible worldwide.

Our vision extends far beyond a single app. We're building a movement toward more accessible, evidence-based emotional wellness support. Whether you're a researcher, clinician, organization leader, or someone passionate about mental health innovation, we'd love to explore how we can work together to create meaningful change in how people understand and care for their emotional wellbeing.

Together, we can reimagine emotional wellness across borders, ensuring that everyone—regardless of their background or location—has access to tools that help them develop a healthier, more compassionate relationship with their emotions.