[Full Text] Chairman Hong Sun-geun of Sidae: "We hope to further expand the future of K-culture through open discussion," expressing gratitude

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Hong Seong-geun, Chairman of Donghaeng Media's Sidae, expressed his gratitude while mentioning the future of K-culture.

On this day, Hong Seong-geun (Chairman) stated through a thank-you message for the "Sidae Forum" on the 21st, "This gathering was arranged to highlight today, where the history of K-culture is unfolding, and to seek ways to further expand the future of K-culture through open discussion. I believe that a gathering like this, where leading figures in various fields come together without regard for their specific domains or generations, will serve as another opportunity for insight." He added, "Sidae will watch over the future of K-culture from up close and record it honestly. As mentioned earlier, we also hope that such gatherings will be a starting point where culture, technology, and industry learn each other's languages and open new possibilities."

Hong Seon-geun (Chairman) noted, "When the system for discovering idols first appeared in our pop music scene in the 1990s, no one could have predicted what it meant or that it would reshape the landscape of global contemporary culture as it has today. K-pop, which began that way, has stood on the world's hanbok stage within about 30 years and brought the name 'Republic of Korea' into the daily lives of young generations in various countries. At the forefront of this precious and massive trend, once called 'Hallyu' but now more familiarly known as 'K-culture,' was K-pop." He pointed out, "In hindsight, it may seem easy, but at the time, it was an attempt that required immense insight, creativity, and courage."

He continued, "It has now crossed the boundaries of music. From K-fashion to K-beauty and K-food, 'K' has become an attractive name sought by global consumers." He emphasized, "Hallyu has grown into 'K-culture,' encompassing lifestyle and cultural experiences as a whole, creating a virtuous cycle where culture builds national brands and national brands act as the competitiveness of our products."

Hong Seon-geun (Chairman) stated, "Sidae's motto is 'Respected individuals, a prosperous Republic of Korea.' Among these, even the primary target line for a prosperous Republic of Korea—per capita GDP of 70,000 dollars—would be difficult without K-culture." He added, "All of today's speakers are pioneers riding the great wave of K-culture toward an unknown future. We cheer for that great journey to lead to meaningful results."

The comprehensive daily newspaper Donghaeng Media Sidae (hereinafter referred to as Sidae) held the "Sidae Forum" on the 21st at the Seoul Sebit Island Convention Center, with the theme "K-Culture x Tech: The Path to Sustainable Growth."

Cultural pioneer Lee Soo-man, Key Producer and Visionary Leader at A2O Entertainment, who established the framework of the K-pop production system, took the stage as the keynote speaker.

The forum was divided into two parts. Part 1 featured a keynote speech by Producer Lee Soo-man, followed by a focus on AI-based video creation. Cecilia Sen, CEO of Utopia Studio, a global AI video specialist company, spoke on "AI Native Studio: The Convergence of Technology and Production."

Motion graphic designer Director Kim Geul-gyun (Apple TV Content Team) explained "Creation in the AI Era: Changes in Content Production Methods." Director Kim received an Emmy Award in 2024 for producing the main title of the drama "The Last of Us."

In Part 2, attention was paid to the phenomenon of the trend led by K-pop spreading to related industries such as lifestyle, beauty, and physical AI, with new cultural leaders taking the stage as speakers.

Vice President Yoon Sang-bo of Galaxy Corporation, the agency for singer G-Dragon and operator of the "Robot Park" in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, spoke on "The Expansion of Entertech Utilizing Robots," and also introduced related projects such as humanoid robot idols and robot fashion shows.

Vice President Shin Jae-ha of APR, a representative global K-beauty company, discussed "Expanding the K-Beauty Paradigm Through Technological Innovation." Vice President Lee Seung-jin of Musinsa (MUSINSA), which leads the domestic fashion and beauty lifestyle ecosystem, examined the present and future of "K-Lifestyle Born from K-Culture."

Sidae is opening a new path for journalism while aiming to be a deliberative media outlet with the motto "Respected individuals, a prosperous Republic of Korea." The media holding company Brilliant Korea, to which Sidae belongs, includes NEWS1, NEWSIS, MoneyToday, MTN (MTN), StarNews, and ZDNet, which operate independently, and also includes theBell as an affiliated company.

Hello, I am Hong Sun-geun.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of you who took the time to attend the Sidae Forum.

When the system for discovering idols first appeared in our pop music scene in the 1990s, no one could have predicted what it meant or that it would reshape the landscape of global contemporary culture as it has today. K-pop, which began that way, has stood on the world's hanbok stage within about 30 years and brought the name 'Republic of Korea' into the daily lives of young generations in various countries. At the forefront of this precious and massive trend, once called 'Hallyu' but now more familiarly known as 'K-culture,' was K-pop.

As with all things in the world, this brings to mind Columbus's egg. In hindsight, it may seem easy, but at the time, it was an attempt that required immense insight, creativity, and courage.

It has now crossed the boundaries of music. From K-fashion to K-beauty and K-food, 'K' has become an attractive name sought by global consumers. Hallyu has grown into 'K-culture,' encompassing lifestyle and cultural experiences as a whole, creating a virtuous cycle where culture builds national brands and national brands act as the competitiveness of our products.

This gathering was arranged to highlight today, where this history is unfolding, and to seek ways to further expand the future of K-culture through open discussion. I believe that a gathering like this, where leading figures in various fields come together without regard for their specific domains or generations, will serve as another opportunity for insight.

Producer Lee Soo-man, who delivered the keynote speech, has long predicted "Culture First, Economy Next." This phrase has already become a quote with which everyone can empathize. When culture opens the way, the economy follows. Culture has already become the engine of growth leading Korea.

's motto is "Respected individuals, a prosperous Republic of Korea." Among these, even the primary target line for a prosperous Republic of Korea—per capita GDP of 70,000 dollars—would be difficult without K-culture.

Producer Lee laid the industrial foundation of K-pop by weaving casting, training, producing, and marketing into a single system, becoming an executor of "Culture Technology (CT)." I believe that the concept that culture, like technology, involves design and process is the source of the brand power of Lee Soo-man today.

Through this, one comes to think that Producer Lee Soo-man has achieved eternity in the flow of Korean culture.

In Part 1, Cecilia Sen, CEO of global AI video company , and Director Kim Geul-gyun, a world-renowned motion graphic designer at , will share the convergence methods and development directions of technology and content production.

In Part 2, Vice President Yoon Sang-bo of technology content company will introduce the expansion phenomenon of entertech utilizing robots; Vice President Shin Jae-ha of representative K-beauty company will speak on vivid examples of beauty tech innovation; and Vice President Lee Seung-jin of fashion culture leading company will diagnose the future of K-lifestyle.

All of today's speakers are pioneers riding the great wave of K-culture toward an unknown future. We cheer for that great journey to lead to meaningful results.

will watch over the future of K-culture from up close and record it honestly. As mentioned earlier, we also hope that such gatherings will be a starting point where culture, technology, and industry learn each other's languages and open new possibilities.

Once again, I deeply thank the speakers who gave their valuable time and the audience who joined us.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original