SKT hosts the world's first 'Volumetric Metaverse Concert'

South Korea's SK Telecom launched the world's first live virtual concert using volumetric image capture technology which kicked off on June 27 and is taking place at the Volumetric Concert Corridor via SK’s Ifland Metaverse platform everyday until July 3.

Volumetric technology was created by SKT during the Ifland Metaverse Music Festival to capture photos of individuals using 100s of cameras from all angles to create 3D models in virtual reality.  

‘At the Ifland Metaverse Music Festival, we used volumetric technology that simultaneously captures 360-degree images of people with more than 100 cameras and creates a three-dimensional image based on live action,’ said SKT, as reported by Korea IT Times. ‘Thanks to this, the audience can see the K-Pop star as huge as a building.’

The company notes that audiences can mingle and socialize as their avatars and enjoy the festival by shifting 360 levels to their desired location on the sphere-type corridor, and even freely float in the air on a skyboard.

The festival involves eight artists and an avatar girl group, including Jujkae, Lee Lu-li, Younha, Jamie, Suran, Minsu, Yoon Ji-young, and Youra. as well as live avatar performances and fan meet and greets. The festival is part of SKT’s project to incorporate Metaverse technology with K-pop content to target Generation Z.

At MWC 2022 in Barcelona earlier this year SKT had demoed the content, and announced that further volumetric concerts featuring K-pop artists will be held in August.

South Korea has been investing substantially into Web3. 

In January South Korea revealed its plans to become the fifth largest Metaverse market by 2026 with a multi-pronged 5-year plan that involves nurturing 40,000 professionals and 220 companies specialized in Metaverse technology.  

In February this year, South Korea’s Ministry of ICT, Science, and Future Planning pledged US$186.7 million to create a broader Metaverse ecosystem dubbed ‘Expanded Virtual World’ and support the growth of corporate and digital content in the country.  This metaverse ecosystem initiative is part of the 'Digital New Deal' in the country.

Following the news, Solana announced its US$ 100 million fund for South Korea’s Web3 startups with a focus on gaming studios, GameFi, NFTs and DeFi. 

Photo: SK Telecom