SK Telecom, "Enjoy Chuseok Holiday in Metaverse 'ifland'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] SK Telecom is providing customers with metaverse (virtual extended world) services that allow them to enjoy a contactless Chuseok holiday in a fun and abundant way.

Enjoying the Chuseok Holiday as Avatars in the Metaverse World... Various Gatherings and Content Offered in ‘Ifland’

‘Ifland,’ launched by SK Telecom last July, is a service that allows anyone to easily and conveniently enjoy the metaverse world. Since its launch, it has led the era of metaverse popularization in Korea, with various partnership inquiries coming from different industries.

To celebrate the Chuseok holiday, SK Telecom has prepared various contents that can be enjoyed through avatars in the metaverse space of Ifland. First, various gatherings will be held centered around ‘Ifriends,’ who were recruited by SK Telecom to lead the popularization of the metaverse.

Ifriends are an influencer group that creates content with various themes to enjoy in the metaverse world and communicate with other users in real time, driving the popularization of the metaverse. SK Telecom has selected about 100 Ifriends and is working with them to create a differentiated metaverse culture unique to Ifland.

During this Chuseok holiday, Ifriends will lead Ifland gatherings based on over 50 diverse themes, including 'Home Training' to enjoy at home, 'Ifland Karaoke' where avatars can showcase their singing skills, as well as 'Love Counseling,' 'Acting Classes,' 'Balance Games,' and 'Metaverse Radio.'

SK Telecom will also allow customers to enjoy popular content again within Ifland during the Chuseok holiday, such as the successful 'Kim Mikyung Avatar Special Lecture' and SBS Biz current affairs and culture program 'Big Question.' Additionally, K-pop related content from Arirang TV, including 'Simply K-pop' and 'After School Club,' will be available for viewing.

Finally, SK Telecom has partnered with fine casual restaurant ‘Shake Shack’ to run various events, including offering Shake Shack burger new product delivery coupons to customers who answer quizzes within Ifland until the 22nd.

Newly Released 128GB Version of ‘Oculus Quest 2’ Gains Hot Popularity... Vivid Virtual Reality Experience at Home

SK Telecom’s VR headset ‘Oculus Quest 2’ (hereafter Quest 2), officially launched in Korea in cooperation with Facebook, is expected to provide enjoyment through vivid virtual reality experiences at home during the holiday period.

The Quest 2’s 64GB model, first released in February, sparked a VR device craze in the domestic market with continuous sell-outs, and the newly introduced 128GB model last month also showed strong popularity, selling over 3,000 units on its first day. Due to this popularity, Facebook upgraded the Korean market to a top-tier status alongside the U.S.

Customers who purchase the Quest 2 can enjoy about 200 representative VR games on the Oculus platform, including ‘Crazy World VR,’ co-developed by SK Telecom, the globally popular VR rhythm game 'Beat Saber,' and the battle royale VR game 'Population One,' promising an immersive virtual reality experience during the Chuseok holiday.

SK Telecom cited the following as key reasons for the popularity: ▲ easier purchase and after-sales service process due to official domestic sales ▲ lower domestic sales price compared to overseas direct purchases when considering shipping and customs fees ▲ the product competitiveness of the Quest 2 itself.

The Quest 2 128GB model is priced at 414,000 KRW (including VAT) and can be purchased through SK Telecom’s 5GX official website, 11st, One Store, and SK Telecom’s offline stores nationwide. Among SK Telecom stores, 52 Electromart locations nationwide offer immediate in-store pickup. SK Telecom customers can also purchase via a 12-month contract (34,500 KRW/month) or a 24-month contract (17,250 KRW/month).

Jeon Jinsu, head of SK Telecom’s Metaverse CO (Company), stated, “We hope SK Telecom’s metaverse services will be usefully utilized by customers who face many restrictions on family gatherings, performances, and travel during the holidays due to COVID-19, helping them have an enjoyable holiday.”