Megabox

Megabox has been selected as the lead research institution for a national project worth a total of 8.2 billion won. This is a collaboration for technology development to realize ‘Korean-style dome (Dome) media’ with eight industry-academia-research institutions including LG Electronics and Metafactory.

Megabox said on the 8th that, as the lead institution for the national projects ‘Development of AI video and audio integrated orchestration technology for implementing Korean-style dome media’ and ‘Development of virtual-space-based automatic sound generation and spatial analysis rendering technology’, promoted by the Korea Creative Content Agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it will embark on technology development to commercialize ‘Korean-style dome media’.

The R&D program totals 8.2 billion won and runs through 2028. It is being pursued as part of the strategy of the current administration to ‘globalize K-culture’ and to revitalize industries linked to the Korean Wave, with the core aim of acquiring the technologies needed to commercialize ‘Korean-style dome media’. The goal is not only to lay the groundwork to contribute to the spread of K-pop and other K-culture, but also to maximize the strengths and compensate for the weaknesses of existing dome media venues to achieve a level of completeness that will attract global attention.

There is a plan to reinforce the sound aspect of dome media venues, which has been cited as a relative weakness compared with visuals, to build spaces that can deliver 100% satisfaction in both sight and sound.

▲ Secure content IP and define screening requirements for dome media ▲ Design an integrated orchestration platform pipeline ▲ Build AI inference and large-scale media asset management systems ▲ Develop demonstration environments for non-standard visuals such as XR and domes ▲ Build and advance a media library, going beyond technology development to establish business models that can be applied in practice.

Megabox

For this initiative, Megabox will carry out R&D in collaboration with a total of eight industry-academia-research organizations, including LG Electronics, Metafactory, Decide Co., Ltd., the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, and Soongsil University. As the lead institution, it will oversee all R&D and manage the project.

Going forward, Megabox plans to establish a new form factor optimized for dome media, capable of accommodating large-scale events such as live broadcasts, and to promote the Korean-style dome media business centered on major domestic hubs including Seoul and the greater capital region.

Megabox is set to lead the development of technologies that allow audiences to enjoy a wide range of content, such as films, K-pop performances, and sports, with overwhelming immersion.

Kim Bong-Jae, Head of the Megabox Multiplex Division, said, “We actively sympathized with the aim of securing ‘digital sovereignty’ by developing platforms and technologies that can present K-culture-related content in optimal condition, and therefore joined this project,” adding, “As the lead institution for this important national project, we will work with top partners in each field, including AI, displays, video, and sound, and with related government bodies including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to help lead the 300 trillion won K-culture market with domestic technologies.”