Kwon+Ji-yong
-
KAIST sends out Music and Bio-Signs of Professor Kwon Ji-yong, a.k.a. G-Dragon, into Space to Pulsate through Universe and Resonate among Stars
KAIST (President Kwang-Hyung Lee) announced on the 10th of April that it successfully promoted the world’s first ‘Space Sound Source Transmission Project’ based on media art at the KAIST Space Research Institute on April 9th through collaboration between Professor Jinjoon Lee of the Graduate School of Culture Technology, a world-renowned media artist, and the global K-Pop artist, G-Dragon.
This project was proposed as part of the ‘AI Entertech Research Center’ being promoted by KAIST and Galaxy Corporation. It is a project to transmit the message and sound of G-Dragon (real name, Kwon Ji-yong), a singer/song writer affiliated with Galaxy Corporation and a visiting professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST, to space for the first time in the world.
This is a convergence project that combines science, technology, art, and popular music, and is a new form of ‘space culture content’ experiment that connects KAIST’s cutting-edge space technology, Professor Jinjoon Lee’s media art work, and G-Dragon’s voice and sound source containing his latest digital single, "HOME SWEET HOME".
< Photo 1. Professor Jinjoon Lee's Open Your Eyes Project "Iris"'s imagery projected on the 13m space antenna at the Space Research Institute >
This collaboration was planned with the theme of ‘emotional signals that expand the inner universe of humans to the outer universe.’ The image of G-Dragon’s iris was augmented through AI as a window into soul symbolizing his uniqueness and identity, and the new song “Home Sweet Home” was combined as an audio message containing the vibration of that emotion.
This was actually transmitted into space using a next-generation small satellite developed by KAIST Space Research Institute, completing a symbolic performance in which an individual’s inner universe is transmitted to outer space.
Professor Jinjoon Lee’s cinematic media art work “Iris” was unveiled at the site. This work was screened in the world’s first projection mapping method* on KAIST Space Research Institute’s 13m space antenna. This video was created using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology based on the image of G-Dragon's iris, and combined with sound using the data of the sounds of Emile Bell rings – the bell that holds a thousand years of history, it presented an emotional art experience that transcends time and space.
*Projection Mapping: A technology that projects light and images onto actual structures to create visual changes, and is a method of expression that artistically reinterprets space.
This work is one of the major research achievements of KAIST TX Lab and Professor Lee based on new media technology based on biometric data such as iris, heartbeat, and brain waves.
Professor Jinjoon Lee said, "The iris is a symbol that reflects inner emotions and identity, so much so that it is called the 'mirror of the soul,' and this work sought to express 'the infinite universe seen from the inside of humanity' through G-Dragon's gaze."
< Photo 2. (From left) Professor Jinjoon Lee of the Graduate School of Culture Technology and G-Dragon (Visiting Professor Kwon Ji-yong of the Department of Mechanical Engineering) >
He continued, "The universe is a realm of technology as well as a stage for imagination and emotion, and I look forward to an encounter with the unknown through a new attempt to speak of art in the language of science including AI and imagine science in the form of art." “G-Dragon’s voice and music have now begun their journey to space,” said Yong-ho Choi, Galaxy Corporation’s Chief Happiness Officer (CHO). “This project is an act of leaving music as a legacy for humanity, while also having an important meaning of attempting to communicate with space.” He added, “This is a pioneering step to introduce human culture to space, and it will remain as a monumental performance that opens a new chapter in the history of music comparable to the Beatles.”
Galaxy Corporation is leading the future entertainment technology industry through its collaboration with KAIST, and was recently selected as the only entertainment technology company in a private meeting with Microsoft CEO Nadella. In particular, it is promoting the globalization of AI entertainment technology, receiving praise as a “pioneer of imagination” for new forms of AI entertainment content, including the AI contents for the deceased.
< Photo 3. Photo of G-Dragon's Home Sweet Home being sent into the space via Professor Jinjoon Lee's Space Sound Source Transmission Project >
Through this project, KAIST Space Research Institute presented new possibilities for utilizing satellite technology, and showed a model for science to connect with society in a more popular way.
KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee said, “KAIST is a place that always supports new imaginations and challenges,” and added, “We will continue to strive to continue creative research that no one has ever thought of, like this project that combines science, technology, and art.”
In the meantime, Galaxy Corporation, the agency of G-Dragon’s Professor Kwon Ji-yong, is an AI entertainment company that presents a new paradigm based on IP, media, tech, and entertainment convergence technology.
2025.04.10 View 323 -
KAIST, Galaxy Corporation Hold Signboard Ceremony for ‘AI Entertech Research Center’
KAIST (President Kwang-Hyung Lee) announced on the 9th that it will hold a signboard ceremony for the establishment of the ‘AI Entertech Research Center’ with the artificial intelligence entertech company, Galaxy Corporation (CEO Yong-ho Choi) at the main campus of KAIST.
< (Galaxy Corporation, from center to the left) CEO Yongho Choi, Director Hyunjung Kim and related persons / (KAIST, from center to the right) Professor SeungSeob Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Provost and Executive Vice President Gyun Min Lee, Dean Jung Kim of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Yong Jin Yoon of the same department >
This collaboration is a part of KAIST’s art convergence research strategy and is an extension of its efforts to lead future K-Culture through the development of creative cultural content based on science and technology. Beyond simple technological development, KAIST has been continuously implementing the convergence model of ‘Tech-Art’ that expands the horizon of the content industry through the fusion of emotional technology and cultural imagination.
Previously, KAIST established the ‘Sumi Jo Performing Arts Research Center’ in collaboration with world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo, a visiting professor, and has been leading the convergence research of art and engineering, such as AI-based interactive performance technology and immersive content. The establishment of the ‘AI Entertech Research Center’ this time is being evaluated as a new challenge for the technological expansion of the K-content industry.
In addition, the role of singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong), an artist affiliated with Galaxy Corporation and a visiting professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST, was also a major factor. Since being appointed to KAIST last year, Professor Kwon has been actively promoting the establishment of a research center and soliciting KAIST research projects through his agency to develop the ‘AI Entertech’ field, which fuses entertainment and cutting-edge technology.
< (Galaxy Corporation, from center to the left) CEO Yongho Choi, Director Hyunjung Kim and related persons / (KAIST, from center to the right) Professor SeungSeob Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Provost and Executive Vice President Gyun Min Lee, Dean Jung Kim of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Yong Jin Yoon of the same department >
The AI Entertech Research Center is scheduled to officially launch in the third quarter of this year, and this inauguration ceremony was held in line with Professor Kwon Ji-yong’s schedule to visit KAIST. Galaxy Corporation recently had a private meeting with Microsoft (MS) CEO Nadella as the only entertech company, and is actively promoting the globalization of AI entertech. In addition, since last year, it has established a cooperative relationship with KAIST and plans to actively seek the convergence of entertech and technology that transcends time and space through the establishment of a research center.
Professor Kwon Ji-yong will attend the ‘Innovate Korea 2025’ event co-hosted by KAIST, Herald Media Group, and the National Research Council of Science and Technology, held at the KAIST Lyu Keun-Chul Sports Complex in the afternoon of the same day, and will give a special talk on the topic of ‘The Future of AI Entertech.’ In addition to Professor Kwon, Professor SeungSeob Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST, Professor Sang-gyun Kim of Kyunghee University, and CEO Yong-ho Choi of Galaxy Corporation will also participate in this talk show.
The two organizations signed an MOU last year to jointly research science and technology for the global spread of K-pop, and the establishment of this research center is the first tangible result of this. Once the research center is fully operational, various projects such as the development of an AI-based entertech platform and joint research on global content technology will be promoted.
< A photo of Professor Kwon Ji-yong (right) from at the talk show with KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee (left) from the previous year >
Yong-ho Choi, Galaxy Corporation CHO (Chief Happiness Officer), said, “This collaboration is the starting point for providing a completely new entertainment experience to fans around the world by grafting KAIST AI and cutting-edge technologies onto the fandom platform,” and added, “The convergence of AI and entertech is not just technological advancement; it is a driving force for innovation that enriches human life.”
Kwang-Hyung Lee, KAIST President, said, “I am confident that KAIST’s scientific and technological capabilities, combined with Professor Kwon Ji-yong’s global sensibility, will lead the technological evolution of K-culture,” and added, “I hope that KAIST’s spirit of challenge and research DNA will create a new wave in the entertech market.”
Meanwhile, Galaxy Corporation, the agency of Professor G-Dragon Kwon Ji-yong, is an AI entertainment technology company that presents a new paradigm based on IP, media, tech, and entertainment convergence technology. (End)
2025.04.09 View 216 -
KAIST appoints K-Pop Star “G-Dragon” Kwon Ji-yong as a visiting professor
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on June 5th that its Department of Mechanical Engineering has appointed Kwon Ji-yong, a K-Pop star better known as G-Dragon, as a visiting professor. The appointment was officiated at the “Innovate Korea 2024” event held at the KAIST Sports Complex in the morning of the 5th.
This appointment was promoted to expand the global competitiveness of Korean culture by applying the latest scientific technology developed from KAIST to K-content and the cultural industry.
An official from Galaxy Corporation, Mr. Kwon’s agency, said, “Through this appointment, we expect to contribute to market innovation and to the global spread and growth of K-culture through research and development of ‘entertech’*.”
* Entertech: A compound word of ‘entertainment’ and ‘technology’ refering to an industry that creates new added value by combining ICT with intellectual property rights (IP) and contents, which are the core values of entertainment.
The newly appointed Visiting Professor Kwon Ji-yong is scheduled to give a special lecture on leadership to undergraduate and graduate students. The purpose is to share his experience and life as a world-class artist to provide KAIST students with vision and insight into the world, as well as the courage and inspiration to pioneer within their own fields of expertise.
In addition, cultural events are planned to be held to help facilitate communication with KAIST members and provide artistic experiences necessary to grow into creative and convergent talents.
Joint research that applies KAIST's various technologies to art and cultural contents will also be pursued. ‘(temporarily named) KAIST-Galaxy Corporation Entertech Research Center’ will be established within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, conducting ▴research on Digital Twin technology for Korean Wave artists, starting with G-Dragon himself ▴convergent research on science and technology encompassing artificial intelligence, robots, and metaverse and K-Culture and ▴research on the development of differentiated avatars of artists using the latest technologies such as volumetrics, motion capture, and haptics.
Galaxy Corporation produces highly talked about televised shows including 'Physical: 100 Season 2', which achieved the feat of ranking first in the Netflix’s ‘Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows’ category, as well as 'Street Woman Fighter', '2 Days & 1 Night', 'Let's Play Soccer: Mungchyeoya Chanda' and 'Mr. Trot 2', and expanded its IP (intellectual property rights) to all aspects of entertainment, from broadcasting to the music industry by recruiting G-Dragon in December last year.
It is an 'entertech' company that is pioneering a new content market by combining IP with the latest digital technologies such as metaverse, avatar, and artificial intelligence (AI). Based on these achievements, it recently signed a partnership with a global investment bank (IB). Through global investment, the company is soon to be the first entertech startup to become a unicorn (corporate value of 1 trillion won).
Kwon Ji-yong said, “It is an honor to be a visiting professor at KAIST, where countless scientific geniuses come out of. I am hoping the best of science and technology experts and my expertise in the entertainment business will come together and a great synergy, a ‘big bang’ will be ensue as a result.
“More and more musicians are working with artificial intelligence and these cutting-edge technologies enable more diverse forms of creative work,” he continued. He also expressed his specific wish. “Through the AI avatar developed jointly by Galaxy Corporation and KAIST, I wish to communicate more closely with my fans around the world that I cannot meet so often otherwise.”
President Kwang-Hyung Lee said, “Considering that KAIST is a university that has always explored new things and pioneered unknown territories since its establishment, I believe that Kwon Ji-yong also shares KAIST's DNA in that he is a leader and pioneer who has attained world-class achievements in the world of culture and arts.”
President Lee continued expressing his expectations saying, “Kwon Ji-yong will not only contribute to taking KAIST’s science and technology to spread and grow K-culture on the global stage, through his activities but also in sharing his experience and spirit as the trend leader of the world, he will be an asset to the members of KAIST which aims to become a top-tier university.”
The period of Kwon Ji-yong’s professorship is two years from the 4th of this month to June of 2026. In addition, Professor Kwon Ji-yong has been appointed as KAIST’s global ambassador to help strengthen KAIST's international presence.
Professor Kwon Ji-yong, who began his career as G-Dragon, has established himself as an icon symbolizing Korean pop culture over 18 years as a member and the leader of the K-Pop idol group 'Big Bang', which debuted in 2006 and gained global popularity. While being recognized for his outstanding ability in all aspects of his music, from writing lyrics, composing, and producing to performing, he has also been active in fashion, becoming the first Asian man to be selected as a global ambassador for Chanel in 2016, spreading Korean music and fashion to the world.
In June, 2017, he released his 3rd solo album 'Kwon Ji Yong' on USB instead of the existing CD format, for the first time in Korea. He also attended CES, the world's largest home appliance and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA in January of this year, extending his strides as a 'tech-tainer'.
2024.06.05 View 15054