Lee Sang Revived by Deepfake Technology: "What Does Gyeongseong Look Like in 2023?"

Lee Sang Returns with Deepfake Technology
Experience Gyeongseong's Past and "Insaengnecut" Photo Booths at the National Library

"Where do you get such stylish clothes? What does Gyeongseong look like in 2023?"

Lee Sang (1910-1937), an artist active in various fields such as music, art, and architecture, has appeared at the Open Plaza on the first floor of the main building of the National Library of Korea. Revived through deepfake technology, Lee Sang engages with visitors for about nine minutes through interactive content that allows for conversation. The appearance of Gyeongseong during the period when the artist was active is vividly recreated using projection mapping technology.

'Conversation with Lee Sang' corner
Photo by Seo Mideum

There is also a corner where visitors can take "Insaengnecut" (photo booth) certification photos with Lee Sang. Visitors can take photos against backgrounds such as "Jebi Dabang" (Swallow Caf?), "Architect's Office," "Gyeongseong Street," and "Art Studio," all of which were places Lee Sang frequented. It is also possible to take photos with excerpts from Lee Sang's works as the background.

Rediscovering K Literature: Gwandongbyeolgok - Peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain
[Photo by National Library of Korea]

The "Rediscovering K-Literature" section is themed around "Gwandongbyeolgok." Based on the Gwanseo edition owned by the National Library of Korea, the major locations of Geumgangsan and the Eight Scenic Views of Gwandong described in the work have been brought to life as vibrant media art. The approximately 300-pyeong (9994㎡, ceiling height 6.3m) space, including walls, pillars, and ceiling, is used as a giant media canvas. By combining traditional Korean lines, colors, and patterns with classical literature, the landscapes of Gwandongbyeolgok are expressed dynamically. The theme music, which adds lyrical sentiment and elegance to the vivid images, was composed by Ryu Kyunghwa, a professor at the Korea National University of Arts. The total video running time is 11 minutes.

This immersive experience hall is the third of its kind, following "Immersive Library" (2021) and "Path of Knowledge" (2022). The plan is to continue presenting stories of Korean writers that can stand on the global stage. The next exhibition will feature "Donggukisanggukjip - Dongmyeongwangpyeon," which tells the founding myth of Goguryeo.

The exhibition will be open to the public at the Open Plaza on the first floor of the main building of the National Library of Korea starting October 16.

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