At the ‘Innovate Korea 2024’ event held at the Daejeon Yuseong KAIST Sports Complex on June 5 KST, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) bestowed an honorary appointment upon BIGBANG’s G-Dragon.

His tenure will span from June 4 of this year to June 2026, encompassing two years. This prestigious appointment aims to seamlessly integrate KAIST’s cutting-edge scientific advancements into K-content and cultural industries, bolstering the global competitiveness of Korean culture.

Additionally, G-Dragon assumes the role of Global Ambassador for KAIST, contributing to the university’s international outreach efforts.

In expressing his gratitude, G-Dragon stated, “Being appointed as a visiting professor at KAIST, renowned for nurturing scientific geniuses, is a tremendous honor. I foresee exciting synergies between top-tier scientists and my entertainment background, akin to the impact of the ‘BIGBANG.’”

He also highlighted the growing trend of musicians incorporating artificial intelligence into their work, expressing his eagerness to leverage advanced technology—such as the AI avatar developed in collaboration with Galaxy Corporation and KAIST—to engage more closely with fans worldwide.

KAIST President Lee Kwang Hyung emphasized that Professor G-Dragon shares KAIST’s DNA as a trailblazer in the cultural and arts sector.

He underscored the potential of G-Dragon’s endeavors to amplify the global reach and growth of K-culture through the application of KAIST’s scientific innovations.

Furthermore, sharing G-Dragon’s experiences and visionary spirit with aspiring KAIST members aligns with the university’s pursuit of excellence.

G-Dragon’s upcoming responsibilities include delivering leadership lectures to undergraduate and graduate students, hosting cultural events to foster engagement within the KAIST community, and providing artistic experiences essential for interdisciplinary growth.

The newly established KAIST-Galaxy Corporation EnterTech Research Center within the Mechanical Engineering Department will drive research on digital twin technology for Hallyu artists, the convergence of science and K-culture, and the development of artist avatars using cutting-edge technologies like volumetric capture, motion capture, and haptics.

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A recent KBS drama shoot starring Girls' Generation's Seohyun and 2PM's Taecyeon has sparked controversy after accusations of damaging a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On January 2, architect Min Seo Hong took to Facebook to criticize the production of the upcoming drama I Took the Male Lead's First Night, which used Byeongsan Seowon, a historic Korean Confucian academy, as a filming location.

His post, titled "An Account of What I Witnessed at Byeongsan Seowon," detailed shocking allegations about the crew's actions.

Min shared that he visited Byeongsan Seowon on December 30, only to find the site bustling with drama staff.

"As I approached, I saw crew members moving around. At first, I didn’t realize it was a filming set, but when I entered the seowon, I felt uneasy knowing this historic site was being used this way," he wrote.

What he saw inside was alarming. According to Min, props were scattered throughout the seowon, and staff were hammering nails into wooden pillars to hang lights.

When he confronted them, they reportedly dismissed his concerns, saying, "We already have permission from Andong City. If you’re curious, contact them."

Determined to take action, Min contacted Andong City’s Cultural Heritage Department. A city official admitted they had approved the filming but appeared unaware of the damage being done.

"When I asked if they knew about the nails in the wooden pillars, they seemed flustered and promised to order their removal immediately," Min shared.

Experts later informed Min that incidents like this aren’t uncommon, with some modern heritage sites even being dismantled for filming. "People might think hammering nails is minor, but in traditional Korean houses, it’s a big deal to even drive in one nail. For cultural heritage, this should never happen," he said.

Min’s biggest concern is the decision to allow such a valuable site, designated as Historic Site No. 260 and a UNESCO World Heritage site, to be used for filming at all. "This was a KBS drama production, and it’s deplorable that they showed such little care for cultural heritage," he added.

The drama, I Took the Male Lead's First Night, is already drawing backlash before its release, with many netizens expressing anger over the alleged damage to the historic site. Comments online include:

"Why are cultural heritage sites being used as filming locations in the first place?"

"If this is true, KBS owes an apology not just to viewers but to the nation."

"Respect for cultural heritage should come before making a drama."

Neither KBS nor the drama's production team has released an official statement regarding the allegations.

However, the issue has sparked heated debate, with many calling for stricter regulations on the use of heritage sites for filming.

Source: [1]