Looking at Apartments, Commuting, and Using VR Feels Like 'Zigbang'

An Seong-woo, CEO of Zigbang, "Leap to a Comprehensive Proptech Company"

An Seong-woo, CEO of Zigbang

From now on, it will be possible to conduct 'Ontact site visits (checking out areas of interest before investing)' by thoroughly inspecting apartment listings using virtual reality (VR) technology. Non-face-to-face consultations will also be introduced for real estate contracts.

Real estate information app Zigbang held a media day on the 15th and announced its plan to leap forward as a proptech company by adopting IT new technologies. Proptech means the integration of property and technology. An Seong-woo, CEO of Zigbang, declared, "We will become a comprehensive proptech company leading digital transformation (DX) across the real estate sector." On this day, Zigbang unveiled the proptech model 'Ontact Partners' and its self-developed metaverse collaboration tool 'Metapolis.'

Tour Apartments in 3D

'Ontact Partners' is a partnership model where experts from various real estate-related fields use Zigbang as a digital tool to provide convenience.

Home cleaning experts, home repair and maintenance specialists, pest control and disinfection experts, and licensed real estate agents form partnerships with Zigbang and operate as Ontact Partners.

When purchasing an apartment through Zigbang Ontact Partners, users can check transparent information including the building and unit number of the listing directly on the app screen. This proptech technology is the first attempt in Korea by Zigbang to eradicate false listings.

In the future, the Zigbang app will allow users to tour apartments in three dimensions (3D) and precisely identify which building and unit number the listing corresponds to. By clicking on the listing, users can explore the interior via VR and check sunlight exposure by time of day, enabling an 'Ontact site visit' experience comparable to physically visiting the apartment.

Zigbang plans to enhance connections between users and agents to enable non-face-to-face consultations. An online electronic contract system will also be introduced.

Anyone with a licensed real estate agent certificate can partner with Zigbang and meet more customers online. 'Ontact entrepreneurship' is also possible through Zigbang. Zigbang provides in-depth consulting and guarantees an annual income of 50 million KRW.

CEO An said, "We will connect users and agents and become the most convenient digital tool in Korea for all parties," adding, "We will pour all the know-how accumulated over 10 years in digital transformation (DX) in real estate to make the transaction process more convenient for both users and agents."

Apartment management such as monthly rent payment, cleaning, and repairs will also be possible through the Zigbang app alone. By tapping the 'Our Home' tab at the bottom of the app, residents can access convenience services and monthly rent payment services. Zigbang plans to add a 'Home Service' tab in the future to provide tools offering professional cleaning, home repair and maintenance, pest control, and other convenience services.

Commuting as an Avatar in Virtual Space... 'Metapolis' Unveiled

On this day, Zigbang also introduced 'Metapolis,' Korea's first metaverse collaboration tool developed in-house. Zigbang employees build a virtual building and set up an office on one floor to work. In February, Zigbang abruptly closed its offline office and declared that it would continue remote work even after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

Currently, Zigbang employees commute to work in virtual space. At the start of work hours, employees create avatars and seat them at their desks in the graphic environment to begin working. When approaching a colleague's avatar, the colleague's camera in the real space turns on, enabling video meetings. Zigbang plans to open 'Metapolis' to external companies, starting with partner firms.

CEO An explained, "Humanity has lived in a commuting era based on transportation until now, but will live in a commuting era based on communication in the future," adding, "Metapolis is initially a metaverse workspace but ultimately can become a global digital city."

He continued, "Zigbang is not just an app that delivers listing information through real estate advertisements but a comprehensive proptech company that enhances the quality of experiences felt in real estate and 'space' through diverse content and services."