Chairman Jeong Ji-seon Appears on 'Photocard'... Hyundai Department Store "New Year Employee Support Event"

Transforming into an AI Image Delivering Fireworks in a Tuxedo
Chairman Jung Responds Positively to Employees' Ideas

Jung Ji-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Department Store Group, met with employees in a unique tuxedo appearance. This special event aimed to boost the New Year's spirit and encourage employees at the start of the year through digital photo cards featuring virtual images based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

According to Hyundai Department Store Group on the 13th, from the 9th for two days, a digital photo card booth using virtual images generated by AI technology modeled after Chairman Jung's face was operated on the first floor of the Hyundai Department Store headquarters building. In the photo card, Chairman Jung appeared smiling in a tuxedo, holding a small firework in his hand. The tuxedo symbolized respect for the employees, and the firework's spark represented the hope that employees would grasp it together and spend the year more energetically and confidently as if they were the main characters on stage.

The event was designed to allow employees to take photos and videos at the booth. More than 800 employees, over half of the total staff working at the headquarters, participated in the event. Using augmented reality (AR) technology that overlays virtual images, employees took photos in realistic poses of their choice.

Lee Sung-eun, a senior staff member at Hyundai Department Store who participated in the photo card shooting, said, “This year, the atmosphere was particularly heavy and cautious, making it difficult to feel the excitement of a new beginning at the New Year. It was meaningful to sense the intention to approach employees in a friendly way and deliver a message of encouragement.”

This photo card project was promoted after Chairman Jung readily responded to the ideas of Generation Z employees belonging to Hyundai Department Store’s Digital Business Division. Chairman Jung is known for valuing open communication with employees. In this year’s New Year's address, he emphasized, “Growth begins with practice, expands through diverse cooperation, and is completed by mutual empathy. Let us trust and help each other as we boldly face the waves of change together.”

A Hyundai Department Store Group official said, “Although the somewhat subdued social atmosphere continues, this event was held to boost the morale of executives and employees who are diligently performing their duties in their respective positions and to share positive expectations and hopes for the New Year, reflecting Chairman Jung’s intentions.”