The South Korean cultural influence, commonly referred to as Hallyu or the Korean Wave, has experienced explosive growth in the recent past. The phenomenon is largely driven by the growing popularity of Korean fashion, entertainment, TV shows, music, and movie industries. They all have, in the last few years, helped turn the country into a leading exporter of pop culture. To further elevate this cultural impact, MILC Metaverse has entered into a partnership with partnering with ZAPZEE. This collaboration seeks to bring the already popular Korean entertainment phenomenon into the 3D sphere by leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
ZAPZEE is a leading provider of the latest Korean entertainment news in South Korea and across the world. The online publication is also part of the larger ODK Brand, whose audience spans 36 countries and multiple streaming platforms throughout Asia. By partnering with MILC Metaverse, ZAPZEE has made a bold stride towards creating a dynamic and immersive 3D space for the Korean entertainment industry. And all this has been made possible by blockchain technology.
Leveraging Blockchain Technology to Create a 3D Space
Today, the MILC Metaverse is building a dedicated ZAPZEE space within the metaverse. Ideally, a metaverse is a virtual world with its own digital economy. It makes it possible for individuals to buy and sell such digital assets and collectibles as NFTs or interact seamlessly. Here, fans of Korean entertainment will explore a wide range of interactive experiences and activities within the 3D environment. The vibrant ZAPZEE virtual space will also unlock endless opportunities for innovation even as Hallyu’s popularity thrives into a global cultural phenomenon.
In the MILC metaverse, visitors will experience ZAPZEE's Korean entertainment content in a new and exciting way. It leverages voxel technology, which presents all the content in a 3D format thereby offering a more immersive experience. Ultimately, the collaboration hopes to create a dynamic digital space where Korean entertainment fans can fully immerse themselves in a world of endless possibilities.
Digitizing the South Korean Entertainment Powerhouse
Korean Pop, or K-Pop, which has taken the world by storm, is a great example of an exciting aspect of Hallyu. Today, top K-pop groups like BTS and Blackpink are not only making waves on Billboard’s Top 100 but are also touring the globe and selling out arenas. A recent study by Statista showed that as much as 50% of respondents in 26 countries consider K-Pop, as “very popular.” This global popularity has also led to the emergence of such digital K-POP groups as K/DA, Plave, and MAVE. These are entirely virtual bands whose members only exist in the metaverse as 3D-rendered characters.
South Korea’s influence in the global entertainment industry is also exemplified by online concerts that have become massively popular in the country. SM Entertainment, a leading multi-national agency credited with creating and popularizing K-pop, has for example hosted live-streamed concerts with record attendances of as much as 50 million audience members. The collaboration by MILC and ZAPZEE is, therefore, a recognition of the need for new entertainment experiences.
By marrying 3D technology, K-pop, and the metaverse, ZAPZEE and MILC hope to give you the experience of a packed stadium in Seoul, without leaving your living room. You get a front-row seat experience as well as a feeling of pulsating energy and thumping music, surrounded by thousands of fans, virtually.
The MILC metaverse has received recognition and is referred to as a leading virtual world where people can connect, create, and have fun. While expressing his excitement and optimism about the ZAPZEE partnership, MILC founder and CEO, Hendrik Hey, said “Content is exactly the heritage and the core of the MILC project. That is why we are so proud to be partnering with ZAPZEE and showcase their exciting content to our global network. By working together, we embody the true essence of the metaverse: to connect, empower, and entertain our communities through collaboration and shared missions”.
It is worth noting that in becoming the global cultural power and trendsetter in entertainment, South Koreans have tapped greatly into its rich history. Today, many popular artists, filmmakers, musicians, and fashion designers draw inspiration from the Korean past, including its dynastic history. The current contemporary outputs are, therefore, a blend of the old and the new.
Today, ZAPZEE and MILC have been granted the right by Trafalgar Releasing, a theatrical distributor, to promote Jung Kook’s upcoming film, “JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL.” The movie will be released in cinemas across the world on September 18. By promoting the film, MILC advances its position in the global media industry and allows for seamless interactions between content creators and promoters.
About MILC
MILC (Media Industry Licensing Content) was founded by Hendric Key and is a trailblazer in the blockchain and metaverse spaces. MILC has a rich background in media and content and has put forward a live metaverse platform that caters to the media industry but also has other industrial use cases. The company also provides Web3 consulting services, with a team of experts that help other businesses elevate their businesses to the digital and Web3 spheres. In addition to MILC, Hendric also founded Welt De Wunder, a European media giant that has been operating for 25 years. For more information, please visit milc.global and ionpowergrid.com.
