[Good Job SME]③ Landmark Mega Display, CGV Pickup Box is a 'Kiko' Work

Display Specialist Founded in 2010
Development of High-Definition Transparent Display Technology
CEO Lee Myung-cheol "Growing as a Leading Small Giant Company in Korea"

In the vicinity of COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, there is the largest domestic holding-type LED billboard, a curved LED wrapping the pillars of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (G Tower), Gyeongbokgung Palace information kiosks, unmanned self-checkout counters at large supermarkets, and smart pickup boxes at CGV cinemas...

It is safe to say that display products and unmanned devices we encounter in daily life have passed through the hands of Kiosk Korea. Although a small and medium-sized enterprise with about 30 employees, it achieved annual sales of 10 billion KRW and even received the '1 Million Dollar Export Tower' award last year. Established in 2010, Kiosk Korea, a display specialist company, decorates national landmarks such as Incheon Airport, COEX, and Gangnam Station with digital technology.

Curved Art LED Display Produced by Kiosk Korea for Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority

Lee Myung-cheol, CEO of Kiosk Korea, started as a researcher at Daewoo Telecom in 1989 and built his expertise by creating various electronic devices including video players (PMP). Being an engineer by background enabled him to start a technology-based company, and he had the confidence to create any product by adding functionality to displays supplied by large corporations like LG.

The area Lee focused on the most was transparent display technology. Even a slight lapse during the assembly process could cause the display glass to break with a small sound on one side. He said, "High-definition transparent displays in the 70 to 80-inch range are products that are difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to handle." Through continuous research and development, they developed high-definition large transparent displays, which have been showcased at Japan's Skytree, the tallest radio tower in the world, and domestic and international retail shops.

The smart pickup box at the CGV cinema near Hongdae, Seoul, is also a kiosk product utilizing transparent display technology. When customers place orders at the unmanned kiosk, the order details are automatically sent to the cook. When the cook places drinks, popcorn, etc., inside the box, the customer's order number is displayed on the transparent display. After confirming the order number, the customer scans the receipt barcode, and by knocking twice on the pickup box door, it automatically opens, allowing the customer to collect the ordered food.

Smart Pickup Box installed at CGV Cinema

Additionally, CEO Lee plans to introduce a mobile kiosk with a display that moves up and down. He said, "To create a world that is not left behind in the unmanned era, we are developing products for wheelchair users and visually impaired people who have difficulty reaching kiosks."

Although Kiosk Korea's products can now be found anywhere in Korea and are well-known, the early days of the startup were challenging. The biggest problem was the shortage of manpower. Lee said, "There was a heartbreaking time when I took a desk to a university job fair and only one student visited throughout the day." Now, as the company has grown, systems have been established to help employees grow as well, and welfare programs have been expanded. Lee stated, "We strive to ensure work-life balance and expand support for children's tuition fees so that raising children is not difficult."

By 2026, the global digital signage market is expected to grow to 42 trillion KRW. In line with this, Kiosk Korea is laying the groundwork for overseas exports, including establishing a branch in Vietnam, and aims to become a world-class kiosk company recognized internationally. Lee said, "Our motto is the '123 strategy,' which means realizing triple customer satisfaction with products that have two or more functions in one." He added, "The next 10 years will be a period of growth as a strong small and medium-sized enterprise representing Korea, based on our technological capabilities."

Myungchul Lee, CEO of Kiosk Korea

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