K-CULTURE Festival 2024 Dubai Opens

Middle East Enthralled by Hanbok… AI Fashion Platform Tease

Welcoming the WEB3.0 Era of the Coexistence between AI and Humans

The inauguration of the “K-CULTURE Festival Dubai 2024” today (12th), heralded a convergence of Korean fashion with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain technology in Dubai, the financial hub of the Middle East.

Held at the Arjaan Rotana Hotel in Media City at 17:00, local time, the event drew a notable presence of local dignitaries, including Sheikha Maryam Dubai Princess, alongside prominent figures from Dubai’s cultural and business circles, all expressing keen interest in the fusion of artificial intelligence and fashion through K-culture. A captivating K-fashion show themed around Hanbok (traditional Korean dress) was directed by Paris-based fashion designer Eunjoo Hong. The runway showcased fashion pieces that harmonized Eastern and Western influences, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience with each ensemble.

K-CULTURE Festival 2024 Dubai Opens

In particular, Yiseul Hwang, the designer behind Yiseul Hanbok, earned acclaim from participating models for her adaptation of the Hanbok, tailored to resonate with the clothing culture and traditional attire preferences of Middle Easterners. Envisioning the Hanbok finding resonance in the lives of Middle Easterners, it is predicted that it would take root in the daily lives based on the K-wave.

The organizer of the much-appraised event, World Startup Forum, is attracting extraordinary attention as it plans to expand the scope of creative works by incorporating artificial intelligence and blockchain technology into Korean fashion pieces and connect them on a business platform, launching the WEB3.0 era.

The CEO of the World Startup Forum Taesoo Jeon, outlined plans to launch a business platform integrating artificial intelligence and blockchain technology into Korean fashion, thereby fostering opportunities for individual designers. He emphasized that the platform would not only facilitate collaboration among designers but also serve as a collaborative hub where influencers and investors converge to nurture creative works and business models. Highlighting the importance of blockchain technology in ensuring equitable distribution, Jeon envisioned it as a catalyst for the Web 3.0 era, where contributions are duly recognized and rewarded.

Looking ahead to the ‘K-Startup Business Day’ on the 13th, discussions will delve into the development of platforms leveraging AI and blockchain in conjunction with fashion. Korean startup entrepreneurs will engage in meetings with Dubai investors to explore avenues for technical collaboration and receive practical investment advice. According to Yongjun Cho, Secretary General of the local branch of the World Startup Forum, AURA100 DMCC, there has been significant interest in Korean semiconductor startups’ technology and Korean red ginseng fermentation technology.

The event also attracted attention with the presence of Kamimura Shaki, Vice Chairman of the Japan Translation Association and an artificial intelligence consultant for Japanese firms. Vice Chairman Shaki underscored his interest in the WEB3.0 platform that integrates Korea’s distinctive fashion with artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Tomorrow’s event is expected to facilitate significant and practical exchanges and collaborations, featuring the participation of VR Arts, a pioneering Korean firm renowned for its innovative semiconductor technology, and Gunja Kim, CEO of Gunja Kim’s Red Ginseng Eggs. Gunja Kim’s Red Ginseng Eggs, hailed as the world’s first of its kind, cultivated at the Dawon Smart Farm, recently garnered media attention.