SM Entertainment teams up with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to conduct joint research for metaverse technology development.
SM Entertainment Teams Up with KAIST for Metaverse Technology Development Research
Korean Technology Institute (KAIST) & SM Entertainment signing an MoU for Metaverse research
On June 23, at KAIST’s university campus in Daejeon, SM and KAIST signed an MoU for joint research. Both entities are represented by SM’s founder Lee Soo-man, SM’s CEO Lee Sung-soo, and President Lee Kwang Hyung.
Metaverse technology development will be the focus of the joint research. “Metaverse” is a portmanteau of “meta,” meaning beyond, and “universe.” The metaverse is a shared virtual space. The users can interact through digital avatars.
The popularity of this technology is rising since the social distancing policy due to the pandemic. Nowadays, K-pop artists also have been adopting the technology by holding virtual meetings with fans.
The university will provide its artificial intelligence and technology for usage in the metaverse. At the same time, SM Entertainment will contribute its content production expertise.
The partnership is the most recent example of the local entertainment industry’s efforts to embrace advanced technology amid the pandemic.
KAIST’s President Lee Kwang Hyung conveyed,
“I hope SM Entertainment’s cultural imagination meets KAIST’s advanced technology, and it becomes a product of great creativity that contributes to the future entertainment market. As well as the development of engineering technology.”
SM Entertainment “Culture Technology”
After the signing ceremony, Lee Soo-Man Lee delivered a special lecture in front of KAIST students about ‘The future entertainment world where KAIST and SM will co-exist.’
In his lecture, Lee Soo Man stated,
“The core competency that has created K-pop into a global phenomenon is ‘cultural technology.’ Based on my knowledge, experience, and ‘know-hows,’ I have made an independent concept called ‘Culture Technology’ (CT). A technology to create content.”
He added,
“SM believes it is essential to deliver new content experiences by continually attempting to combine culture and technology.”
As examples, he mentioned SM’s online concert “Beyond Live” and SM’s holographic contents.
Moreover, he added,
“The future of the entertainment industry would center on celebrities and robots.”
“We dream of creating the SM Culture Universe, where through cartoons, animations, webtoons, motion graphics, avatars, and novels will recount different stories.”
Moreover, SM has debuted a rookie Kpop girl group, aespa, consisting of four human members and their virtual avatars (AI), in November 2020. Now, SM Entertainment is on the “next level” to conduct in-depth research on metaverse technology development with the Korea Technology Institute (KAIST) for the future of the entertainment industry.
Let’s enjoy aespa’s latest single, “Next Level,” which recently hit Melon 24Hours No.1.
More to read about Kpop:
- SM Entertainment Reveals Kpop Girl Group ‘Aespa’ Concept & Members
- 8 Facts You Have to Know about SMTOWN LIVE “Culture Humanity” Online Concert
- Which of These BTS Signature Styles Suits You?
- 10 Trivia Facts about K-Pop Idols Only Super-Fans Know
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