The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister HWANG Hee, MCST) and the Korean Creative Content Agency (President JO Hyun Rae, KOCCA) unveiled the third edition of the “Age of Light” (Gwanghwa Sidae) to the public on February 4. The newly opened ‘Gwanghwa Jeoncha’, ‘Gwanghwa Su’, ‘Gwanghwa Dam’, ‘Gwanghwa Gyeong’. MCST and KOCCA planned the project to raise awareness on the immersive contents with using the state-of-the-art technology and promote the well-developed Korea’s technology and culture. The Gwanghwamun and the neighboring area are the center, where realistic technologies such augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and mixed reality (MR) and 5G mobile communication-based contents are implemented. People can experience the past, present, and future of Korea along with the latest technology. As a large-scale cultural experience space, Gwanghwamun will be closer to visitors.

 ‘Gwanghwa Jeoncha (Train)’ explores time and space, which connect then history and future of Gwanghwamun. ‘Gwanghwa Su’ is an augmented reality tree that empathizes with citizens, and ‘Gwanghwa Dam’ is a game to enjoy while travelling in Gwanghwamun. ‘Gwanghwa Gyeong’ is an interactive reality contents that have hidden stories.

‘Gwanghwa Jeoncha (Train)’ combines a panoramic screen and a 4D ride-on experience device. Users can freely move around Gwanghwamun’s past, present, and future.  Also, visitors can experience imaginary spaces such as underwater world and space to view dynamic and realistic video contents. In particular, by applying 4D moving chairs with 360-degree rotation technology, you can experience as if it were floating in the air by rotating with the change of video content or by lifting the chair. Visitors can reserve the train via the official website of ‘Gwanghwa Era website’ (www.gwanghwasidae.kr.) To prevent the spread of the COVID, only those who completed the vaccination or those who have a negative PCR test can enter.

‘Gwanghwa Su (Tree)’ is a 5.2meters tall symbolic sculpture embodying the theme of ‘Time-Space-Human Connection’ of the ‘Gwanghwa Era’, using augmented reality and big data technology. The branches and fruits of the tree seen in AR are filled with people’s stories. If people leave their stories through the official website anytime, anywhere in the world, those stories are realized as fruits of different colors according to the seven emotional categories. As we have more and more participation from people with abundant stories, branches and fruits will be more splendid and diversified.

 ‘Gwanghwa Dam (Wall)’ is a mission performance game with AR gamification that can be enjoyed while exploring the Gwanghwamun area. Composed with six stories in the background context of the Gwanghwamun, Seoul City Hall Plaza, Cheonggyecheon, and Sejong Center for the performing Arts, citizens can enjoy new experiences while walking around the nearby area.

      ‘Gwanghwa Gyeong (Mirror)’ is both educational and entertaining that embodies the hidden stories of Gwanghwamun, Sejong Center for the performing Arts, and the Korean History Museum, with AR. In addition to the stories in each location, “Pengsoo” and “NCT Dream” will appear in AR to provide a variety of attractions.

In addition, MCST and KOCCA established “Gwanghwa Era Experience Center” in Gwanghwamun Station to support visitors and users experience “Gwanghwa Sidae” series of AR experiences. The experience center will provide information as well as instructions on installing applications for “Gwanghwa Dam” and free rental of “Gwanghwa Su” AR glasses. With the two series of contents disclosed to the public so far, the last one will be released on February 25. “Gwanghwa Mural” is planned to be built as a medium of canvas on the exterior wall of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History.