Meeting Shinkook, a Colleague Who Learned to Think Beyond Technology and Toward Products
- Nota Team Blog
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
The last four years for Shinkook Choi, the leader of the NetsPresso Core Research team, were far more than the time of a researcher. What began with deep technical work expanded into understanding how that technology becomes a real product and creates value. As the team and the company grew, his role expanded as well.
From the moment NetsPresso was first recognized in a meaningful way to the discussions held while preparing for the IPO, the scenes he experienced reveal how Nota has grown. In this interview, we follow the changes he encountered as a leader, colleague, and individual, and look at what he calls “a company still growing today.”
ㅣFrom Research to Products, Moments That Broadened His Perspective
Hello. Could you briefly introduce yourself.
Hello. I am Shinkook Choi, and I lead the NetsPresso Core Research team..
It has already been four years at Nota. What moment stands out most.
Two come to mind. The first was when NetsPresso was recognized in a major way for the first time. We delivered it to a well-known semiconductor company, and it confirmed that all the work we had done in model compression and optimization was truly excellent technology. It was special for both me and the team.
Could you share the second moment as well.
The second was the lead workshop held while preparing for the IPO last year. Leaders gathered to discuss our challenges and where we needed to go. It was meaningful to see everyone sincerely thinking together under the name of Nota. It left a lasting impression.
How has Nota influenced you. You can compare it with past experiences or share what you felt here.
Looking back, I learned and experienced so much at Nota. I worked deeply as an AI Research Engineer and also contributed to development. When I became a lead, my perspective expanded. I began asking questions such as “How do we build a better product together” and “How do we create real business value.” These were experiences I would not easily get elsewhere, and I grew a lot through them. I also enjoyed working with great colleagues, and seeing that work pay off through the IPO made me grateful.
If you had to describe Nota in one phrase, what would it be.
I would say that Nota “is still growing.” I experienced new things and grew, and I believe I will continue to take on new challenges. I think the same is true for my colleagues. Individual growth is what drives Nota’s growth as a whole.
This year’s year-end theme is Tipping Point. Was there a turning point for you as well.
Before joining Nota, I mainly worked as a researcher. After coming here, I began to think more deeply about how research becomes a product that has value for people. It was not just about research but understanding the entire path to becoming a product. That experience was a major change for me and my personal turning point.
ㅣBecoming a Colleague Who Makes Good Decisions
What kind of colleague do you want to be.
I want to be someone who works well. At my level, that means listening carefully to different opinions and making good decisions. When building something with the team, decisions cannot rely only on my own view. Each decision affects the team and the product, so making the right call at the right moment is the most important part of my role.
As a leader, that responsibility must always be on your mind.
Especially when working with the team, decisions must be made by balancing many situations and opinions. Every choice directly affects the team and our product, so I try to make the best possible decisions. That is how I define doing my job well.
Lastly, what do you hope Nota becomes in the future.
It is hard to summarize Nota’s future in one word. But I feel hopeful when I look at our leadership. I see Myungsu and the leadership team leading with strong responsibility. No company is perfect, but what I appreciate is that if something is lacking, they are willing to admit it and seek the expertise needed to close the gap. Watching their commitment to continuous improvement naturally makes me imagine a bright future for Nota.
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Following Shinkook’s story reveals that the last four years were not simply the accumulation of research and development, but a process of expanding his view as he connected technology to products. From the first major recognition of NetsPresso to the intense discussions held in preparation for the IPO, and to the shift from researcher to product builder, these moments shaped the Nota we see today.
His story about his family was also memorable. Wanting to show his parents, his wife, and his three children that he is working hard reflects how his time at Nota has become part of his daily life.
If individual growth and experience have shaped the Nota of today, the next ten years will again be built by the scenes created by each member. What new moments will fill the next decade of Nota that Shinkook imagines?
