Seongdong-gu signs three-way MOU with Jeonju and immersive media consortium to bring cutting-edge technology to Seongsu-dong's pop-up industry, covering co-production, commercialization and job creation
Seongdong-gu in Seoul signed a three-way MOU with Jeonju and the Immersive Media Innovation Convergence University Project Group on Thursday to boost the immersive media industry and build a framework for collaboration.
Following the signing, Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa and the heads of the other signatory organizations toured an immersive media showcase underway at Understand Avenue in Seongsu-dong, where they experienced a range of immersive media content including a digital forest installation.
Seongsu-dong, widely known as a mecca for pop-up stores, has been seeing a shift in trend: pop-up spaces are moving beyond simple product exhibition and sales to become media-driven, immersive experiences powered by advanced technology.
Under the MOU, the three organizations will collaborate across seven areas — co-planning and producing immersive media content; developing and commercializing content drawing on local cultural tourism resources; jointly developing and piloting advanced technology content in extended reality (XR), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and AI; facilitating exchanges among businesses, universities and young talent and linking them to employment; and pursuing domestic and international exhibitions, promotion and global expansion.
In particular, the partners plan to provide tailored technology support and commercialization consulting to relevant companies in Seongdong-gu, and to connect students and researchers in the pop-up industry and immersive media fields for collaborative projects.
The initiative aims to give companies opportunities to develop new business models using advanced technology while creating jobs that allow young people to gain hands-on experience in real industry settings — with the goal of solidifying a "Seongsu-dong-based immersive media advanced pop-up ecosystem."
Following the expansion of the Seongsu IT Cultural Content Industry and Retail Development Promotion District designation in March, the district is pursuing a range of projects to develop Seongsu-dong into a leading convergence industry innovation hub for South Korea — linking the cultural content industry base in fashion, design and media with IT and R&D, alongside the immersive media industry cooperation announced Thursday.
"We will lead the way in integrating differentiated content into Seongsu-dong's pop-up stores, creating a flow of continuously new experiences and culture rather than fleeting attractions," District Mayor Yoo said. "Building on this MOU, we will take Seongsu-dong a step further as a future-oriented industrial and cultural hub."
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