360-Degree Rotatable Real-Time Video Solution Service
Introduced in 11 Tokyo Olympic Venues and Over 50 Events
Cumulative Investment of 34.6 Billion KRW... Company Valuation of 234.2 Billion KRW
CEO Jeong Hongsu: "IT-Based Content Company, Aiming for Unicorn Status"
"We will let the world know that South Korea's technological capabilities are outstanding."
Jung Hong-su, CEO of 4DReplay, has been staying in Japan with about 40 employees since the 2nd. This is to apply the 360-degree sports broadcasting video solution ‘4DReplay’ to the Tokyo Olympics opening on the 23rd. 4DReplay is a technology where dozens of special cameras installed around the stadium shoot key scenes in real time from multiple angles and then transmit them as highlight videos. It allows viewers to enjoy sports games more vividly and three-dimensionally from various angles.
4DReplay is introducing its technology to a total of 11 venues and over 50 events at the Tokyo Olympics. To this end, more than 800 special cameras were transported by plane. In particular, the official match review system ‘4DVar’ technology is used in Taekwondo and Wrestling events to enhance fairness. VAR (Video Assistant Referees) refers to a system that reviews the game process using footage captured by cameras.
In a video interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, CEO Jung said, "We faced the challenge of having to provide better broadcast footage during the COVID-19 situation where games are held without spectators," adding, "To fulfill this mission, we are working hard even under harsh conditions." Since establishing a branch in Silicon Valley, USA, in 2016, 4DReplay has steadily gained recognition for its technology in the global market. 4DReplay has been applied to major overseas sports broadcasts including Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Professional Golfers' Association (PGA).
Jung, who majored in computer engineering at university, worked at Samsung SDS for over 10 years and founded 4DReplay in 2012. He considered fields where remote camera control and video technology could be commercialized. Jung said, "Believing that our company needed its own unique weapon, we introduced a distinctive technology that remotely shoots video and then recombines it." The 4DReplay technology was first applied to athletics events at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where unexpected challenges arose due to continuous rain throughout the schedule. Jung stated, "After experiencing various trials and errors domestically and gaining experience responding to diverse on-site variables, we naturally decided to challenge the global market." The domestic sports broadcasting market was used as a ‘test bed’ before expanding overseas.
He said, "As the company’s identity was recognized and our network gradually expanded, we were able to sign contracts not only with the US but also with broadcasters in the UK and France." The only similar technology is held by the US company Intel, but it requires large-scale computer hardware and has relatively slower video transmission speeds.
4DReplay raised Series B bridge investment earlier this year, bringing total investment to 34.6 billion KRW and a corporate valuation of 234.2 billion KRW. CEO Jung plans to grow 4DReplay into an IT-based content company and unicorn company where more people share videos through its own platform. Recently, it was also selected as a participating company in the Korea Creative Content Agency’s broadcasting video content production support project. The day when 4DReplay’s technology is realized in dramas viewed on smartphones is not far off. Jung said, "For those who always seek new things and enjoy creative work, there is no job more fun than this."
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