[Smart Work Revolution] Single Focus Seats and Video Conferencing... Commuting to 'Ilsan Ajiteu'

Set Work Hours and Location Before Commute
No Need for Reports When Uploading Collaboration Tools
Pass Gate with Face Recognition ID
Reserve Seats via Kiosk or Phone
Preferred for Higher Work Efficiency Than Remote Work

Combining 5G and Quantum Cryptography Technology
Security Issues Also Resolved
Workation Experiments Increasing with Resort Offices, Not Near Home

Exterior view of 'Sphere Ilsan,' a three-story base office established by SK Telecom in a residential complex in Ilsandong-gu, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by SK Telecom Newsroom

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] "Today, I am commuting to Ilsan."

Lee Jihyun (pseudonym) from SK Telecom's Distribution IMC team commutes twice a week to ‘Sphere Ilsan,’ a hub office located a 20-minute walk from the Seoul Euljiro headquarters. Before going to work, she autonomously sets her working hours and location for the day and uploads them to the company’s collaboration tool, so there is no need to call her direct supervisor.

A 20-minute walk to and from work, a new way of life

Inside 'Sphere Ilsan'. Photo by SK Telecom Newsroom

Upon arriving at Sphere, Jihyun passes through the gate using facial recognition ID while wearing a mask. She can choose from about 100 seats, including iDesk-exclusive seats that do not require individual PCs, single-focus seats, and shared tables resembling a university library, according to her preference. Seat reservations are made via kiosks equipped with cameras or smartphones. On this day, after working in the morning, she has a face-to-face meeting over lunch with a nearby field management staff member. At 2 p.m., she plans to have a video conference with team members who have commuted to the headquarters and ‘Sphere Sindorim,’ respectively. Since starting to commute to Sphere, she has developed a habit of stopping by Ilsan Lake Park for a jog after work. She said, "When working from home, there were inconveniences due to noise and environment, but I like that home and office spaces are separated," adding, "The office building is beautiful, and since employees live nearby, a friendly atmosphere has already formed." Especially, the Ilsan branch was created by remodeling a three-story detached building near a residential area that was previously used as a training center, giving it a warm, ‘hideout’-like atmosphere.

Cutting-edge ICT technology everywhere

SK Telecom has introduced state-of-the-art ICT technology throughout its hub offices. The facial recognition ID gate uses the AI facial recognition solution ‘NUGU FaceScan,’ which identifies users by analyzing 68 facial features. iDesk automatically sets the work environment personalized by the user when the tablet camera recognizes their face. To reduce psychological resistance to shared spaces, users can also set personal background images. Tests are underway to automatically customize desk height and other settings to individual preferences. Meetings with headquarters are held in virtual spaces using head-mounted display (HMD) devices such as the ‘Oculus Quest.’ On a large media wall nearby, employees can listen to lectures held at other hub offices simultaneously. The office environment is automatically adjusted for temperature, humidity, and fine dust through Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, eliminating the need for a separate manager. Security issues, one of the main reasons many companies hesitate to adopt remote work, are addressed by combining 5G and quantum encryption communication technologies.

Workation with regional hub offices

CJ Group Base Office 'CJ Work ON Seoul Station'

Experiments with workation (a blend of work and vacation) by establishing hub offices near vacation spots rather than near employees’ homes are also gaining momentum. A representative example is ‘CJ ENM Jeju Branch,’ a hub office set up and operated by CJ ENM in Woljeong-ri, Jeju. It is a place where office workers’ dream of ‘living in Jeju for a month’ can come true. SK Telecom also plans to open an additional workation-style hub office at the Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, in July.

In January, CJ Group opened ‘CJ WorkOn,’ a 160-seat hub office by designating major affiliate buildings in the metropolitan area as hubs, located in Yongsan-gu and Jung-gu in Seoul, and Ilsan in Gyeonggi Province. They are also considering expanding to provincial areas in the future. Lotte Shopping, Coupang, LG Uplus, 11st, and others are also installing distributed and satellite offices centered around areas where many employees reside.

An SK Telecom official said, "We plan to commercialize the ICT technologies used in Sphere Ilsan as solutions," adding, "Many companies are interested, and if regional hub offices increase, it is expected to greatly help create quality jobs in the regions and attract talented personnel."