12-year-old Korean genius with IQ 204 applies to Oxford after dropping out of school

Baek Kang-hyeon, dubbed a child prodigy, first stunned the public in 2016 when he appeared on television at just 41 months old, showing an unusual flair for mathematics and music. Later, he scored 163 on the Wechsler intelligence scale, equivalent to an IQ of 204, placing him in the top 0.0001% of the global population, The Korea Times reported.

After racing through elementary and middle school in just three years, Baek was admitted to the elite Seoul Science High School. But in August 2023, he made the bold decision to drop out. On his personal YouTube channel, he explained that staying in class made him feel like "a problem-solving machine," and he wanted to stop before school stifled his creativity.

His father added another layer, revealing that Baek faced social isolation and hostility. Older classmates insulted him, ignored him in group projects and treated him like an outsider. The bullying extended online, where Baek became the target of cruel jokes.

Refusing to be discouraged, Baek redirected his focus. On Sept. 6, he posted a video titled "Applying to Oxford University", sharing his plan to pursue higher education at the world's top-ranked university according to the Times Higher Education.

"Over the past year and a half, I've been preparing to study in the U.K. while working toward the International A-Level exams," he said in the video. The effort paid off: Baek achieved the highest possible grade (A*) in four demanding subjects: Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, placing him in the top 1%. With those scores, he is applying for a place in Oxford's computer science program.

The prodigy is also preparing for the university's Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT), scheduled for Oct. 23. His practice scores have ranged between 98 and 100 out of 100, a near-perfect result. The MAT, a 27-question exam lasting two and a half hours, is required for Oxford applicants pursuing math-related fields.

But his age is proving to be an obstacle. Under UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) regulations, applicants must be at least 13 years old to formally apply, while Baek has just turned 12.

"I’ve contacted UCAS and Oxford University's admissions office directly to inquire about my eligibility... They said I should receive a response by the end of this month," Baek said.

Even if he gains admission, the U.K.'s student visa rules would still block him from entering before the age of 16. Baek hopes the university might offer him a conditional place so that he can enroll once he reaches the minimum age.

Looking ahead, Baek dreams of becoming an artificial intelligence expert. He envisions creating wearable smart devices that would allow "even an 80-year-old to climb Mount Everest," as well as developing AI-powered virtual reality games. He also plans to release two mobile apps this year and two more next year.

His story has resonated online. Within days, his Oxford video racked up more than 200,000 views, nearly 10,000 likes and thousands of supportive comments.

"I'll always support you. Remember to take care of your health," one user wrote. Another encouraged him to stay patient: "Go to a bigger world and keep learning. Don't forget, you're only 12! There will be plenty more opportunities ahead."