Exclusive Interview with Nho Chiwook and Ha Seok-jun, Pioneers in the Creator Economy, at ‘ MBUS703,’ the Pixar Studio of the Metaverse Spatial Development Industry – KoreaTechDesk

Post-pandemic, technology related to the metaverse and virtual spaces continues to advance, providing virtual offices, virtual showrooms, and other virtual spaces with designs that resemble or improve upon the real world.

For example, events are held in a virtual space that mimics a real-life department store, providing an experience similar to real shopping. These events aim to bring back the physical shopping experience or create a more enjoyable shopping experience by implementing designs that are difficult to achieve in the real world. Additionally, in contrast to the spatial constraints of physical department stores that make it difficult to place diverse brands, Metaverse events bring together the brands you want in one place, so you can compare and explore all the items you want. The advantage is that you can.

In October 2023, Metaverse space development specialized studio MBUS703 (Co-CEO: Noh Chi-wook and Ha Seok-joon) opened and operated “Metaverse Sune Shopping,” a metaverse version of “Sune Shopping,” at Lotte Department Store Bundang branch for one week from October 6th to 12th.

MBUS703 By creating a space using the 3D UGC (User-Generated Content) platform “Spacial” and coordinating with the department store’s offline events, we provided customers with a variety of immersive experiences.

Noh Chi-wook and Ha Seok-joon, representatives of MBUS703 who have a background in design, are creators of metaverse space art that goes beyond simply implementing virtual space. We are a creative company that realizes a “creator economy” by fusing IT technology and artistic sensibilities. I had the opportunity to meet two representatives, Noh Chi-wook and Ha Seok-joon.

Q. Please tell us about MBUS703’s unique services that differentiate it from other metaverse companies in designer-led metaverse space creation.

We used to work individually as contemporary artists and connected through our art activities. Recognizing our compatibility in creative collaboration, we decided to turn this synergy into a business venture and co-founded the company.

We not only create metaverse spaces, but also engage in art activities as a media art studio. While continuing our artist activities, we have expanded the scope of our business to include marketing services in response to commissions from other companies and organizations.

In the early stages, we were unable to exhibit our work in a physical space due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with this challenge, we considered ways to introduce our work to an even wider audience. This led to the beginning of my involvement in the metaverse space. By placing our artwork here and organizing a virtual gathering, we have officially embarked on our business journey in the Metaverse.

Art and business are different, but finding a balance between the two will lead to greater success.

Q. Business and art are different fields. Have you encountered any challenges?

Works of art tend to be intuitive to some extent. Ideas may come to you while you’re playing, or suddenly while you’re sleeping, and you can easily act on them or let them go. However, that is not the case in business. If I suddenly get fed up and quit, who will take care of the team? Unlike art, business is considered more logical.

But if you can successfully balance these two aspects, you can make bigger leaps forward and find a more aggressive business model.

Art Gwangju 21 Metaverse Special Exhibition "The other side of the white cube" (Image: MBUS703) — Art Gwangju 21 Metaverse Special Exhibition “Beyond White Cube” (Image: MBUS703)

Q. What is your most memorable activity?

We recently held an exhibition in Montreal, Canada. We participated in a special exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada. As an extension of the previous exhibition, we are planning a large-scale exhibition at the Pohang Museum of Art at the end of September. We continually strive to approach the concept of how the Metaverse itself can be a platform for art.

Furthermore, if opportunities arise, we will continue to promote our work overseas, with the aim of establishing Metaverse technology as a new art platform.

Projects we are currently working on, such as the Gyeonggi Content Agency initiative, include a proof of concept (PoC) collaboration with Lotte Department Store Bundang Branch. In this initiative, we will support the creation of the services that Lotte aims to achieve through the Metaverse.

In this way, I believe that metaverse technology will become an indispensable part of daily life in the future. Utilization of the metaverse space is considered to be essential, similar to smartphones, and it is expected that it will be expanded to the global market.

Q. Specifically, how is Metaverse technology closely tied to the real world?

In the field of art, the metaverse is expanding through immersive experiences using VR and XR technology. For artists, there were barriers to entry that ranged from simply learning IT skills.

It’s not just about the technology, especially with the XR. You need to draw on your artistic experience. If this leads to the birth of new art, we will see it positively as an active expansion of domestic digital content.

Q. What are Itabashi Techno Valley’s strengths as a content company that integrates art?

The path before Enterprise Support Hub with Metaverse Hub is the path I’ve been on for 20 years. I watched the building go up and thought it was amazing, so luckily we were able to move into it and use the space.

The “M” in MBUS703 represents the bus system in Gyeonggi-do, so we adopted that “M” and decided on “MBUS703” by using the office floor number at the time, 703.

And our team members also like this location. The market is not only vast and dynamic, but also highly customizable for digital media. Furthermore, we aim to generate innovative ideas for the global expansion of XR as an art platform from this location.

There are also many opportunities to communicate and collaborate with other startups, which is a great chance to support your company’s growth.

Q. As an experienced entrepreneur who has ventured into new fields, what advice would you give to those aspiring to become entrepreneurs?

You don’t start with determination alone; you need foresight and experience to see the future. Instead of pushing forward with determination alone, listen to different people around you and gain insight from different perspectives.

If you’re in your 20s and feel like you don’t have enough experience, try talking and communicating with people in a wide range of age groups, including those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Listen to their different perspectives and be prepared to consider alternative points of view.

The goal is to grow into a global professional content company like Pixar Studios.

Representative Roh Chi-wook and Ha Seok-joon (Image=BeSUCCESS) — Representative Noh Chi-wook and Ha Seok-joon (Image=beSUCCESS)

Q. What is the ultimate goal of MBUS703?

My goal is to establish a studio like Pixar Studios. Experts from all fields come together to collaborate from the creative process to production.

Even before Steve Jobs bought Pixar, Pixar started out as a gathering place for 3D content creators. Eventually becoming industrially integrated and gaining recognition with works such as Toy Story, MBUS703 aims to become a specialized studio creating content up to the recent Elemental films.

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