Who leads the mega trend, Metaverse? Here is how South Korea supports the industry.
What Is the Metaverse?
“Metaverse” refers to a digital world in which virtuality and reality are integrated. Naver’s Zepeto, one example of Korea's leading metaverse platforms, is popular with Generation Zers who make avatars and play games. Zepeto surpassed 130 million subscribers within a year of its launch. The world's largest metaverse service, Roblox, is said to have 42.1 million active users who spend more time in Roblox than with their friends or family. With the development of virtual and AR technologies, the metaverse has emerged as a leading force in a new era as it influences the game, entertainment, music, and content industries. After the outbreak of COVID-19, in particular, everyday life and industries have been rapidly changing, especially in the field of education.
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| Gyeonggi-do supports AR and VR companies and fosters professionals in metaverse-related fields |
Accordingly, the Korean government recently announced the Korean New Deal 2.0 policy to foster new hyper-connected industries. The government plans to comprehensively support metaverse content production and core technology development.
Gyeonggi’s Support System
Gyeonggi Province (Gyeonggi-do) is connecting virtual and AR companies with potential clients and contributors. For example, Emotionwave Co., Ltd., signed a business agreement for metaverse media performance services using AI and IoT technoloies with Haneul ENT Co., Ltd.Emotionwave Co., Ltd., a startup in Gyeonggi Province, provides a music performance service that combines AI, IoT, VR, and AR technologies. Haneul ENT Co., Ltd., is a professional performance agency that fosters pop artists and broadcasts. The two companies will pioneer new market areas such as metaverse performances in the entertainment industry as a step in overcoming COVID-19.
Gyeonggi-do plans to support such partnerships through an advisory group within the Gyeonggi Content Agency.
Gyeonggi-do’s Role in Training Skilled Personnel
Gyeonggi-do is recruiting trainees for the 2021 VR & AR Academy so as to foster professionals in related fields.Selected trainees can take online lectures free of charge. The program for employed individuals targets developers and industry personnel in the fields of VR, AR, and XR. It consists of intensive practice-based training in development, planning, and design with the latest VR and AR technologies. The education program will run for three months with 25 participants.
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