KT Corp opens World Cup pop-up at Gwanghwamun, featuring AI robot caricatures

Korea national team pop-up at KT Onmaru

AI-based experiences including AX Photo Assist

Signed jerseys, match balls and trophies on display

KT Corp employees introduce the KT Onmaru World Cup pop-up. [KT Corp]

KT Corp has launched a Korea national football team pop-up at KT Onmaru, its experiential space inside the company's Gwanghwamun headquarters, to mark the 2026 World Cup.

KT Corp announced Monday that it partnered with the Korea Football Association to open the pop-up on the second floor of KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The pop-up will feature AI-based interactive programs as well as exhibition content tracing the history of Korean football.

KT Corp highlighted "AX Robot Drawing" as the pop-up's signature attraction. Visitors take a photo, and an AI-powered robot draws a caricature based on the image — with the finished result available to view on the spot.

Another offering, "AX Photo Assist," lets visitors snap a selfie using the Galaxy S26's Photo Assist feature, then enter a football-themed prompt to generate and print a personalized cheering image.

Interactive features are also on offer. Visitors who enter a cheering message for the players upon arrival will see it displayed on a large media screen as part of a live art wall — dubbed the "Cheering Message Media Wall."

In addition, a "Red Devils Custom DIY" program allows visitors to attach patches to red clothing or scarves they bring from home, creating their own supporter merchandise. A keyring-making experience is also available.

The exhibition area traces key moments in Korean football history. Signed national team jerseys, official match balls and trophies will be on display, alongside photographs capturing major highlights from 2002 through 2022.

The KT Onmaru World Cup pop-up opened Monday and runs Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Sundays.

KT Onmaru is KT Corp's experiential venue designed to foster connection across generations. The company plans to offer retro content — including hands-on experiences with pagers and PC communication services — to evoke nostalgia for older visitors while giving younger ones something new.

"Ahead of the 2026 North America World Cup, we have created a space where customers of all generations can enjoy and connect," said Kim Dong-hoon, executive vice president of KT Corp's public relations division. "We will continue to expand our touchpoints with customers through differentiated AI transformation-based experiential content."

chami@heraldcorp.com