Edward Kim is one of the most recognized names in the Terra Classic (LUNC) community. As a professor at Drexel University and a core developer, he played a central role in reviving Terra Classic after the infamous collapse. Since 2023, Kim has stepped back, leaving the community questioning his future. This article examines his achievements, his withdrawal, and the possibility of a comeback.
Revival of LUNC: Key Achievements
Together with fellow developer Zaradar, Edward Kim founded the **Joint L1 Task Force (JL1TF)** in late 2022. Their mission was to stabilize Terra Classic’s technical foundation and restore community trust after the crash.
Key achievements include:
- Network upgrade from v1.0.4 to v1.0.5 and critical validator fixes. - Re-enabling staking and delegation, allowing community participation again. - Introduction of the 1.2% burn tax, which destroyed billions of LUNC within days. - Reopening IBC channels (Osmosis, Crescent, Juno), unlocking billions in previously trapped LUNC and USTC liquidity.
These actions made Terra Classic deflationary and marked the first major turnaround in its post-crash journey.
Innovation: AI Integration
In 2023, Kim introduced **Block Entropy**, an AI-focused app-chain for Terra Classic. The concept aimed to merge blockchain infrastructure with artificial intelligence, while using $LUNC and $USTC as native tokens.
This vision represented more than just technical upgrades; it positioned Terra Classic as a potential player at the intersection of blockchain and emerging AI technologies, expanding utility far beyond token burns.
Kim's Legacy and Return Prospects
By mid-2023, Edward Kim’s public presence began to fade. His last major post on X (Twitter) came on **April 14, 2023**. Soon after, he announced his resignation as director of the Terra Grants Program, shifting into a volunteer role.
This move fueled speculation:
- Some community members claimed Kim had ‘zero faith’ left in LUNC and was moving on to his own projects. - Others argued he was simply taking a step back from the spotlight while continuing to contribute quietly.
Even without daily visibility, Kim’s influence remains deeply embedded in Terra Classic:
- The **1.2% burn tax** continues to reduce supply. - The **Terra Grants Program**, initiated under his leadership, still funds development. - His **USTC roadmap**, including a proposed debt-to-equity swap to re-peg to $1, remains a central idea for the stablecoin’s recovery. - His vision for **Block Entropy** continues to serve as a blueprint for integrating LUNC and USTC into broader technological use cases.
The lingering question for the LUNC community is whether Edward Kim might return in a more active role. There are no official signs of a comeback, but his technical expertise and vision were instrumental in shaping Terra Classic’s recovery.
Edward Kim’s impact on Terra Classic cannot be overstated. From network upgrades and the burn tax to IBC restoration and AI-powered visions, his contributions are deeply woven into the project’s DNA. While his withdrawal left a gap, his blueprint continues to guide Terra Classic. And perhaps, as many in the community hope, we may one day witness his return.
