The Meeting of ICT and Tradition... Enjoy Baekje World Heritage with AR

LG Uplus Signs MOU with Gongju City, Buyeo County, and Chungnam Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The beautiful Baekje World Cultural Heritage sites will become more immersive through 5G 28GHz technology.

LG Uplus announced on the 20th that it will introduce immersive content based on 5G 28GHz in connection with the Baekje World Cultural Heritage in collaboration with Gongju City, Buyeo County, and the Chungnam Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency.

This "Baekje World Heritage Utilization Content Construction Project" is part of a new public contest project selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in 2021. Approximately 4 billion KRW in funding will be invested to produce and disseminate cultural heritage content using immersive technology. To promote the value of the Baekje World Heritage sites registered with UNESCO, a cultural heritage festival will be held featuring 5G media art performances and heritage enjoyment programs.

The participating organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote the project and agreed to cooperate organically in content planning, network construction, and domestic and international promotion. Initiatives include ▲ establishing a joint fund for content production ▲ producing video content to promote the World Cultural Heritage ▲ supporting promotion using domestic and international networks ▲ building giga-level network zones capable of 5G video viewing ▲ exploring synergy plans for win-win cooperation among companies, local governments, and the promotion agency.

Starting in July, each local government will prepare spaces themed around Baekje’s history and culture. Subsequently, Buyeo County will hold events at Buyeo Jeongnimsaji from August 6 to September 5, and Gongju City will host events at Gongju Gongsanseong and other locations from September 25 to October 24.

LG Uplus will add its 5G 28GHz network to link the promotion agency’s media art with outdoor lighting technology. Through projection mapping, lasers, large LED screens, mesh screens, optical fibers, and acrylic sculptures, Baekje’s cultural heritage will be conveyed to visitors. On-site, a 5G 28GHz experience zone will be set up where visitors can enjoy immersive content using the world’s first 5G AR glasses, "U+ Real Glass." Visitors will be able to view content introducing historical spaces through augmented reality right before their eyes.

LG Uplus will also produce promotional content targeting the MZ generation in collaboration with the promotion agency. Through the flagship entertainment program of the U+ Idol Live service, popular idol groups will tour and introduce the cultural heritage of Gongju and Buyeo. This content, produced in 4K, will be unveiled at the opening ceremony of Buyeo Jeongnimsaji and will also be available as mobile content in some overseas regions through the global 5G content alliance "XR Alliance," chaired by LG Uplus.

Kim Jeong-seop, Mayor of Gongju City, said, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the excavation of King Muryeong’s tomb and the 1500th anniversary of King Muryeong’s declaration of the Gangguk (Strong Nation), which led to Baekje’s renaissance. It is the inaugural year to renew a strong Gongju by embracing the meaning of Gangguk. Through this MOU, I hope it will be an opportunity to widely promote the excellence and brilliance of the Woongjin Baekje culture, registered as a World Heritage, through cutting-edge immersive content.”

Park Jeong-hyun, Governor of Buyeo County, said, “The old Sabi Baekje was the most culturally prosperous period of Baekje. This can be seen in the Baekje Gilt-bronze Incense Burner and the Mokhwajadan Go board, the oldest existing Go board, which King Uija gifted to the Japanese king. Through this MOU with LG Uplus, I hope it will be an opportunity to widely promote the outstanding universal value of the Baekje Historic Areas World Heritage Site.”

Maeng Chang-ho, Director of the Chungnam Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency, emphasized, “We are moving away from analog methods of cultural heritage recording and preservation to a major shift toward immersive content-centered cultural heritage preservation and utilization using advanced scientific technologies. We will organize the optimal festival to promote the excellence of the Baekje World Heritage.”

Choi Yoon-ho, Executive Director of XR Services at LG Uplus, said, “We expect Gongju and Buyeo to emerge as new destinations for domestic travelers through immersive media linking LG Uplus’s network and content capabilities with the region. In particular, our original mobile entertainment program ‘It-hing Trip’ has established itself as a representative content introducing local attractions and restaurants to the MZ generation, and we hope this will expand opportunities for win-win cooperation with local governments.”