[Report] From Nostalgic Pagers to AI... The History of Telecommunications Gathered at KT 'Onmaru'

KT Opens Experiential Exhibition Space "Onmaru"
From the History of Korean Telecommunications to Future AI Technologies
Hands-on Exhibition... Free Admission at All Times

On the morning of January 22, at KT Gwanghwamun West Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. On the second floor, which reopened in September last year after remodeling, a spacious area with floor-to-ceiling glass windows stood out. A large screen covering one wall displayed videos introducing KT's services, while on the opposite wall, visitors' impressions were being shown as media art.

The newly opened experiential exhibition space 'Onmaru' brings together KT's past, present, and future vision, attracting a steady stream of visitors. Since its opening on December 1 last year, it surpassed 10,000 visitors in just over 50 days. The name 'Onmaru' is a combination of the pure Korean words 'On,' meaning 'all,' and 'Maru,' meaning 'the highest or central place.'

Visitors are viewing the Corridor of Time at KT's experiential exhibition space 'Onmaru'. Photo by KT

Onmaru is composed of the 'Corridor of Time,' where visitors can experience the history of Korean telecommunications; the 'Courtyard of Light,' where immersive media art is displayed; and the 'Journey of Connection,' a pop-up space.

The Corridor of Time presents KT's history through communication devices used in the past. The area recreates Gwanghwamun in 1885, when Korea's first telegraph pole was erected, and an actual telegraph pole from that era is on display. Visitors can also see Korea's first telephone, 'Deokryulpung,' as well as various early telephones used until the 1950s. Three of these early telephones are designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage items due to their historical value. In addition, the domestically developed electronic automatic exchange 'TDX-1' is also exhibited.

A guide is demonstrating PC communication access at KT's experiential exhibition space 'Onmaru'. Photo by Myunghwan Lee

Familiar past communication technologies are also available for hands-on experience. Visitors can try using a rotary public telephone, which was widely used in the past, and PC communication systems that were used before the introduction of high-speed internet are also on display. The PC communication experience area even recreates the distinctive dial-up modem sound.

In the section introducing wireless communication technology, devices such as pagers (commonly called 'bbibbi'), folder phones and slide phones from the 2G mobile era known as PCS are exhibited. As the exhibition focuses on communication methods, the pager section also introduces the so-called 'number codes' that were used at the time.

In this space, visitors can browse a now-obsolete phone book or create their own public telephone card as part of a goods experience program.

The next area, the Courtyard of Light, features immersive media art. This media art is participatory: visitors can have their faces photographed at a kiosk before entering, and AI transforms the image into digital art, which then becomes part of the exhibition content. After viewing, visitors can download their artwork using a QR code.

KT's experiential exhibition space 'Onmaru' featuring KT's artificial intelligence (AI) large language model (LLM). Photo by Lee Myunghwan

The final area, the Journey of Connection, introduces KT's future technologies. This pop-up space changes its theme every three to four months and is currently showcasing KT's artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Visitors can experience KT's proprietary large language model (LLM) 'Mideum K,' 'SOTA K' developed in collaboration with Microsoft, and 'Llama K' based on Meta's Llama, all through chatbot interactions.

The 'AI Live Drawing Zone' allows visitors to create eco-bags featuring artworks completed together with AI. There is also a large-scale, 11-meter LED media guestbook where visitors can leave their impressions.

Onmaru is open to everyone for free, allowing for both viewing and hands-on experiences. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except Sundays. Guided docent tours are available in both Korean and English by reservation.

Yoon Taesik, Executive Vice President of KT's Brand Strategy Office, stated, "Onmaru is a brand experience space where you can directly see, hear, and touch KT's heritage and vision, along with the 140-year history of information and communications in Korea. We will continue to present new exhibition content that embodies KT's unique value and identity, so that Onmaru can become a landmark for both domestic and international visitors to Gwanghwamun."

A telegraph pole for communication from 1885 recreated in KT's experiential exhibition space 'Onmaru'. Photo by Lee Myunghwan