[NEWSIS] Korean Broadcasting Content and AI Media Technology to Take the Stage in Cannes, France

[Seoul=NEWSIS] Reporter Yoon Hyun-sung = The government will showcase South Korea's broadcasting content utilizing unique materials and new media technologies leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to overseas markets. An investment presentation for the global expansion of AI and digital technologies will also be held.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Korea Communications Agency (KCA) announced on the 23rd that they will support the promotion and overseas export of domestic broadcasting and online video service (OTT) content and media technology in conjunction with the "8th Cannes International Series Festival (Cannes Series)" taking place from April 24-29.

Cannes Series is an international content market held in Cannes, France since 2018 to nurture and promote new series including dramas and documentaries.

This year, the MSIT has selected a total of 10 programs in three categories for Cannes Series. Outstanding programs combining Korea's unique material and advanced AI technology will be presented. This event is expected to showcase the capabilities of Korea's AI and digital-based broadcasting content and media technology to the world and create new business opportunities.

First, the screening event for the non-competitive section supported by the MSIT will be held on the 29th. This event will feature three works to be screened for local audiences and officials: ▲"Hunter with a Scalpel" (Soul Creative), a crime thriller drama depicting the fear and anxious life of a sociopathic forensic doctor, ▲"Nursery Rhyme Ghost Stories" (Kortop Media), a mystery horror thriller drama that reinterprets familiar Korean children's songs in the horror genre, and ▲"Fairy Diet Center" (Film Company Jigeum), a cute coming-of-age romance about the process of entering a fasting center to become a singer.

Actors who appeared in these works, including Park Ju-hyun (Hunter with a Scalpel), Hong Soo-hyun, Nam Gyu-ri (Nursery Rhyme Ghost Stories), and Jo Hye-jung (Film Company Jigeum), will participate directly in Cannes, France to enhance promotional effects through photocalls, pink carpet events, and stage greetings.

In addition to these three works, "Such an Intimate Betrayer" (MBC), which was popularly broadcast on MBC in 2024 as a production supported by the MSIT and KCA, was also invited to Cannes and will be specially screened in the non-competitive section.

On the 26th, the "Korea AI Technical Screening" will be held. A total of two works will be screened, featuring broadcasting content produced using AI technology, along with a technical presentation session where AI technology companies will directly introduce and promote the technologies applied to the works.

"Sacred Objects" (KBS), which will be unveiled at the AI Technical Screening, is a documentary that tells the story of religion, history, and people centered around sacred objects from around the world. It is a 2024 AI-assisted production supported by the MSIT. The completeness and immersion of the work were maximized through AI technology, including using domestic AI human technology to restore actual portraits and photographs of real saints as basic materials and producing reenactment scenes.

"AI Cruel Fairy Tales" (MooAm Production) is an AI-based thriller drama based on traditional Korean poems and fairy tales. It features AI actors generated by learning real people without using actual actors, and is characterized by utilizing AI technology throughout the entire production process from planning to editing.

Also on the 26th, the "Korea AI Technical Investment Presentation" will be held to provide opportunities for overseas investment attraction and international co-production for broadcasting content planning proposals using AI and digital technology.

At this event, new planning proposals that include plans to utilize domestic AI technologies in production will be introduced to producers and investors from around the world. A total of five proposals will be presented, including one Korean drama and four entertainment programs that enhance production efficiency and strengthen originality through AI technology.

Choi Jun-ho, Director General of Broadcasting Promotion Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "At this Cannes Series, we have reorganized the screenings and investment presentations to focus on promoting broadcasting content that actively utilizes AI technology in production, creating a foundation for not only excellent broadcasting and OTT content but also AI media technology to advance overseas together." He added, "The government will continue to strengthen policy support to create broadcasting content production innovation cases through collaboration between broadcasters and AI technology companies in the AI era and to grow together."