BIG BANG’s leader G-Dragon, real name Kwon Ji-Yong, has embarked on a significant K-pop-tech journey. He also plans an AI avatar concert after his appointment as an invited professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
On June 5, G-Dragon attended the “Innovate Korea 2024” event at the KAIST Sports Complex in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Apart from fashion and beauty brand events, his appearance at an official event attracted attention as it had been a while. It was especially surprising that he participated in a tech-related talk show rather than an event related to a new album.
KAIST and the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) organized the event. Along with KAIST President Lee Kwang-Hyung and Galaxy Corporation CEO Choi Yong-Ho, G-Dragon discussed R&D and commercialization of future technologies such as AI and how these technologies can be integrated into K-pop.
Dressed in a blue suit, G-Dragon greeted the students with, “I’m singer G-Dragon.” The students responded with cheers, and G-Dragon expressed his delight at appearing at an official event after a long time. He shared his first impressions of KAIST, saying, “It’s not a place you can come to easily. I visited the campus briefly yesterday and was continuously amazed. It exceeded my expectations. Seeing the research and development environment, I felt it connected to my work environment in a similar context.”
It’s not a place you can come to easily. I visited the campus briefly yesterday and was continuously amazed. It exceeded my expectations. Seeing the research and development environment, I felt it connected to my work environment in a similar context.”
G-Dragon
G-Dragon has previously shown an interest in K-pop tech. Last December, he signed an exclusive contract with Galaxy Corporation, an entertainment-tech company incorporating digital technologies such as the metaverse and AI. In January, he visited CES 2024 in Las Vegas. G-Dragon showed great interest in advanced technologies and even experienced VR equipment there.
Given G-Dragon’s interest in K-pop tech, there is curiosity about how technology will influence his concert productions. He remarked, “I think I should do a concert first,” which received applause from the students.
“As an artist, I can only do my best within my limits,” G-Dragon explained. “For example, various stage effects and LED screens behind me help express what I want. When I had my
last concert, the technology was good, but seeing how technology advances daily, there are many things I want to do and can do now. It’s more about figuring out how to make it more fun with so many options available.”
He added, “I don’t want it to feel too disconnected from reality, so I’m exploring ways to integrate and combine these technologies well. But before using the technology, I need to perform first,” hinting at his future concert plans.
Specifically, he is planning an AI avatar concert. G-Dragon stated, “I am planning an avatar that incorporates personal details only I know, creating a concept different from a traditional concert. Using AI technology, I aim to bring the liveliness and immediacy of a concert to life. For instance, I plan to use ‘secondary characters’ to summon myself simultaneously or have the audience find out who the real me is in an engaging concert experience.”
I am planning an avatar that incorporates personal details only I know, creating a concept different from a traditional concert. Using AI technology, I aim to bring the liveliness and immediacy of a concert to life.“
G-Dragon
Galaxy Corporation also announced plans to hold G-Dragon’s AI concert at the ‘Sphere’ in Las Vegas by the end of next year. CEO Choi Yong-Ho recalled their visit to CES 2024, “Experiencing the Sphere Dome with G-Dragon was eye-opening. It made us think about what the next concert could be. If we can create a new concept AI concert at the Sphere Dome with G-Dragon by the end of next year, it could lead to more diverse communication with people worldwide.”
G-Dragon also reminisced that day, “It was fascinating to see the past, present, and future all in one day. It was a great opportunity to broaden my vision regarding music-related work.”
G-Dragon’s comeback and performances are major points of interest. He is preparing a new album and aiming for a comeback in the second half of this year. This will be his first solo album in about seven years, after his second mini-album, Kwon Ji-Yong, in 2017.
When asked when ‘Professor Kwon Ji-Yong’ would be seen as ‘Artist Kwon Ji-Yong,’ he joked, “I was going to ask the same thing. If you make an algorithm, I might be able to find out too,” but then added, “Just kidding. Soon, soon, soon,” briefly answering.
The event concluded with G-Dragon’s appointment as an invited professor at KAIST. He received his appointment letter as an invited Department of Mechanical Engineering professor. From June 4, 2024, to June 2026, he will give special lectures on leadership to undergraduate and graduate students. The purpose of inviting him as a special professor is to incorporate the latest scientific technologies developed at KAIST into K-content and cultural industries.
G-Dragon will share his experiences and life as a global artist and hold cultural events to communicate with the members. He will also promote joint research to integrate various KAIST technologies into art and cultural content.
In particular, they plan to establish the ‘KAIST-Galaxy Corporation Entertech Research Center’ (tentative name) within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The research will focus on digital twin technology for Hallyu artists, research on the convergence of K-culture with AI, robots, and the metaverse, and developing differentiated artist avatars using the latest technology.
G-Dragon commented on his appointment, “I haven’t lived long, but I feel like I should live long and see. I’m still a bit bewildered. I heard I was considered a genius when I was young, but I’m not a genius. The students here are the real geniuses. I think if I hang out with them, I might become a genius too. I hope to learn a lot in the future.”
He added, “Although I am not in the same field as the students, creativity and challenging new things are common aspects. I want to be a big brother who helps everyone a little. I will act as a bridge. I don’t know much about science. My job is to be a public singer, so I want to make things that are difficult for the general public to understand easy to comprehend through me as a medium,” expressing his commitment.
I want to be a big brother who helps everyone a little. I will act as a bridge
G-Dragon
Source: Chosun
