The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister HWANG Hee, MCST) and the Korean Creative Content Agency (President JO Hyun Rae, KOCCA) held the Opening Ceremony of the Gwanghwa Sidae (Age of Light) and unveiled the final version to the public on February 25 at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Gwanghwanum. “Gwanghwa Sidae” is the national project for continuing “cultivation of leading immersive content. ”

  Starting from Gwanghwa Pungryu (Live Streaming Concert) in December 2021, the second edition, including Gwanghwa Won (Media Art Garden) and Gwanghwa In (AI Human Interaction) met public in January this year. The third edition opened with four different contents of Gwanghwa Jeoncha (Immersive Ride Attraction), Gwanghwa Su (Virtual Monument), Gwanghwa Dam (Location-based AR Game), and  Gwanghwa Gyeong (Immersive AR Experience).

  After the third and consecutive opening of the “Age of Light” series, the newly opened edition is “Gwanghwa Byeokhwa” (media art canvas). The Media Canvas was screened on the walls of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. Now the Gwanghwamun has became the landmark of the Immersive Contents with AR, AI, 3D arts, and media art. Area with such divese artisitic features will provide public with much to experience from the past, present, and the future.

  In the opening, presentation was delivered including the purpose and intention of the “Gwanghwa Sidae” and video from entertainers on celebrating the opening was shown. Also, since the initial opening of the immersive contents, public left messages on how they felt after experiencing the seven previously openened immersive contents.

  “Gwanghwa Byeokhwa” (Anamorphic media art canvas) is a landmark place that provides immersive experience of culture, artworks, and advanced technologies for the public. With an ultra large-scale LED screen installed on the outside wall of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, the media canvas shows vivid and vibrant immersive art. The Art Signage features various content of history, times, and stories in Gwanghwamun to people who pass through the streets nearby the area. The artworks of citizens and media artists, together with the viewers' engagement, complete authentic public media canvas. The Media Art Canvas on the wall of the Museum shows the signature of the Gwanghwamun and videos will show the time and temperature of gwanghwamun and global artworks. There will be a total of 13 videos under five themes.  

  Minister HWANG said “Gwanghwa Sidae” is to set interactive environemnt, where people from all globes will communicate beyond the time and physical restrictions. “Gwanghwa Sidae” is expected to heal people all around the world, who have been suffered long due to COVID-19 pandemic. He also added that with the opening of “Gwanghwa Sidae”, Korean contents are expected to lead the new era of the global contents industry.

  For more information on “Gwanghwa Sidae”, please visit the official website (https://www.gwanghwasidae.kr/).