Kim Se-kyu, CEO of AI Virtual Company Vive Studios
he Mireuksa Temple Site Lost 1,400 Years Ago
Restored with Verified Historical Data, Receiving Praise
Digital Heroes from History
Including Kim Gu, Ahn Jung-geun, and Yoon Bong-gil
/
Love Calls from Netflix and Other Film/TV Producers
AI Technology Expected to Have Widespread Impact
Son Suk-ku in 'A Killer Paradox' (left) and the child actor version (right)
In January this year, Mireuksa Temple Site, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, was presented to the public in its original form from 1,400 years ago at the National Iksan Museum in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do. Symbolizing the Buddhist culture of Baekje and considered one of the greatest achievements of King Mu’s era, Mireuksa was vividly brought back to life as a 3D image on a high-resolution media wall.
This digital restoration was carried out by Vive Studios, an AI-based virtual production company. The 3D version of Mireuksa was reconstructed using AI that had learned from domestic academic papers and verified historical records about the temple’s architectural process.
In a recent interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, Vive Studios CEO Kim Se-kyu stated, “We are not only visualizing Mireuksa but are also working on making historically valuable sites, relics, and figures come to life in three dimensions.” He added, “We are focused on playing the role of a messenger that sensorially conveys the stories of the past through advanced technology.”
The company’s projects extend beyond heritage sites. At the Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Hyochang Park, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, visitors can approach a kiosk featuring a “Digital Kim Koo.” On screen, the virtual Kim Koo greets them by saying, “Nice to meet you. I’m pleased to be able to talk with you face-to-face through modern technology.”
CEO Kim stated, “This is the first case of applying digital humans in the field of national remembrance,” and explained, “Vive Studios was responsible for generating the AI image of digital Kim Koo, while AI firms Akrive and Level9 developed the AI language model that enables Kim Koo to engage in real-time conversations with visitors.”
In addition to Kim Koo, Vive Studios has also recreated independence activists Yoon Bong-gil and Ahn Jung-geun as digital humans. Digital Ahn Jung-geun can be found at the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall near Seoul Station, and digital Yoon Bong-gil is installed at the memorial near Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station.
Kim explained, “The AI model was trained on remaining photographs of these historical figures, as well as books, personal writings, and academic research about them.” He added, “The ability to have interactive conversations makes this especially effective for educational purposes, particularly for children.”
Vive Studios is a company that leverages AI technology to provide services in virtual production, spatial planning, and content creation. Specialized in visual effects (VFX) based on computer graphics (CG) and 3D technology, the company integrates AI technology into VFX through its in-house AI research lab, Vive Lab. According to market research firm Grand View Research, the global virtual production market— including AI-based VFX—is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 17.8%, reaching $6.79 billion by 2030.
Kim noted, “Previously, VFX specialists had to manually composite scenes frame by frame to depict a lead actor as a child or older version. Now, AI can automate that process.” He added, “We’re receiving many inquiries from the film and television industries.” Notably, the company’s “Face Swap” technology was used to portray the younger version of Son Suk-ku’s character ‘Toy’ in the Netflix hit series A Killer Paradox.
“By incorporating AI into VFX work, we can significantly reduce production time and maximize efficiency,” Kim said. “Currently, our technology is either being applied or is planned for integration in projects such as Samsung C&T’s Raemian Gallery, SK Telecom’s ifland and A.Dot platforms, and Krafton’s game advertisements.”
Vive Studios’ AI image transformation feature has been available in local photo booths since last month. At self-photo studios such as Life Four Cuts (Insaengnecut) and Eoljjang Sticker Photo, users can take photos and have their images transformed into stylized cartoon characters via AI. “With more events and festivals taking place across the country, demand for photo booths has been steadily increasing,” Kim explained, “and their popularity is growing not only for weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events but also through social media.”
He concluded, “The domestic photo booth market is projected to reach KRW 400 billion by 2028,” and added, “I hope AI technology continues to positively influence everyday life in every corner of society.”
원문 기사 바로가기
Kim Se-kyu, CEO of AI Virtual Company Vive Studios
he Mireuksa Temple Site Lost 1,400 Years Ago
Restored with Verified Historical Data, Receiving Praise
Digital Heroes from History
Including Kim Gu, Ahn Jung-geun, and Yoon Bong-gil
/
Love Calls from Netflix and Other Film/TV Producers
AI Technology Expected to Have Widespread Impact
Son Suk-ku in 'A Killer Paradox' (left) and the child actor version (right)
In January this year, Mireuksa Temple Site, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, was presented to the public in its original form from 1,400 years ago at the National Iksan Museum in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do. Symbolizing the Buddhist culture of Baekje and considered one of the greatest achievements of King Mu’s era, Mireuksa was vividly brought back to life as a 3D image on a high-resolution media wall.
This digital restoration was carried out by Vive Studios, an AI-based virtual production company. The 3D version of Mireuksa was reconstructed using AI that had learned from domestic academic papers and verified historical records about the temple’s architectural process.
In a recent interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, Vive Studios CEO Kim Se-kyu stated, “We are not only visualizing Mireuksa but are also working on making historically valuable sites, relics, and figures come to life in three dimensions.” He added, “We are focused on playing the role of a messenger that sensorially conveys the stories of the past through advanced technology.”
The company’s projects extend beyond heritage sites. At the Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Hyochang Park, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, visitors can approach a kiosk featuring a “Digital Kim Koo.” On screen, the virtual Kim Koo greets them by saying, “Nice to meet you. I’m pleased to be able to talk with you face-to-face through modern technology.”
CEO Kim stated, “This is the first case of applying digital humans in the field of national remembrance,” and explained, “Vive Studios was responsible for generating the AI image of digital Kim Koo, while AI firms Akrive and Level9 developed the AI language model that enables Kim Koo to engage in real-time conversations with visitors.”
In addition to Kim Koo, Vive Studios has also recreated independence activists Yoon Bong-gil and Ahn Jung-geun as digital humans. Digital Ahn Jung-geun can be found at the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall near Seoul Station, and digital Yoon Bong-gil is installed at the memorial near Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station.
Kim explained, “The AI model was trained on remaining photographs of these historical figures, as well as books, personal writings, and academic research about them.” He added, “The ability to have interactive conversations makes this especially effective for educational purposes, particularly for children.”
Vive Studios is a company that leverages AI technology to provide services in virtual production, spatial planning, and content creation. Specialized in visual effects (VFX) based on computer graphics (CG) and 3D technology, the company integrates AI technology into VFX through its in-house AI research lab, Vive Lab. According to market research firm Grand View Research, the global virtual production market— including AI-based VFX—is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 17.8%, reaching $6.79 billion by 2030.
Kim noted, “Previously, VFX specialists had to manually composite scenes frame by frame to depict a lead actor as a child or older version. Now, AI can automate that process.” He added, “We’re receiving many inquiries from the film and television industries.” Notably, the company’s “Face Swap” technology was used to portray the younger version of Son Suk-ku’s character ‘Toy’ in the Netflix hit series A Killer Paradox.
“By incorporating AI into VFX work, we can significantly reduce production time and maximize efficiency,” Kim said. “Currently, our technology is either being applied or is planned for integration in projects such as Samsung C&T’s Raemian Gallery, SK Telecom’s ifland and A.Dot platforms, and Krafton’s game advertisements.”
Vive Studios’ AI image transformation feature has been available in local photo booths since last month. At self-photo studios such as Life Four Cuts (Insaengnecut) and Eoljjang Sticker Photo, users can take photos and have their images transformed into stylized cartoon characters via AI. “With more events and festivals taking place across the country, demand for photo booths has been steadily increasing,” Kim explained, “and their popularity is growing not only for weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events but also through social media.”
He concluded, “The domestic photo booth market is projected to reach KRW 400 billion by 2028,” and added, “I hope AI technology continues to positively influence everyday life in every corner of society.”
원문 기사 바로가기