"Jang-geum in Ultra High Definition" SKT 5GX Supernova Commercialization

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] An artificial intelligence (AI) technology that allows viewers to watch popular MBC programs such as Dae Jang Geum, Infinite Challenge, and High Kick Through the Roof in the highest quality has been developed.

SK Telecom announced on the 2nd that it will commercialize its AI video quality enhancement technology, '5GX Supernova,' in the broadcasting and media sector. SK Telecom expects to apply this technology to the overseas export of Hallyu content as well. 5GX Supernova is a service that improves the quality of video and audio to original levels through AI deep learning algorithm-based DeOldify technology. Since its development in 2017, it has been utilized in various fields such as improving the quality of Btv original content and advancing semiconductor manufacturing processes. Recently, SK Telecom signed a technology usage contract with MBC to enhance the quality of past content using 5GX Supernova.

To this end, the two companies optimized the existing 5GX Supernova neural network specifically for MBC content and trained it on the correlation between low-quality and high-quality videos in the MBC content archive. This quality enhancement work involves upscaling SD quality to full HD quality, and the completeness was improved through multiple reviews by MBC’s expert evaluation team during the joint development process. Content produced before 2011, when domestic broadcasters transitioned to HD, was made in analog or SD quality, which posed limitations for online video services (OTT), video on demand (VOD), and overseas exports. SK Telecom expects that the commercialization of 5GX Supernova will not only provide viewers with vivid high-quality images of various past content but also significantly contribute to the overseas export of Hallyu content.

The first target for AI remastering using 5GX Supernova is the national drama Dae Jang Geum, which once recorded a peak viewership rating of 57%. The high-quality remastered Dae Jang Geum will be broadcast on MBC Dramanet and ON Channel starting November 14 and will be available as VOD on Btv. Following this, other past popular programs such as Infinite Challenge and High Kick Through the Roof will be released sequentially. Kim Hyuk, head of SK Telecom’s 5GX Media Business Group, said, "Through this commercialization, we expect that past popular content, which broadcasters had only archived, will once again attract viewers’ attention. SK Telecom will continue to contribute to expanding the overseas distribution channels of Hallyu content through AI technology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.