Korea is set to launch its first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drama, "Kiss Lighting – Ghost Cupid," which has already generated considerable excitement ahead of its 4 December 2024 premiere.
The show, a unique blend of romance and technology, follows the story of a ghost, Wooyeon, who helps people find love.
What makes this drama stand out is the involvement of AI in both the creation of its script and visuals, with tools like ChatGPT, HeyGen, ElevenLabs, and Midjourney taking a central role in production.
"Kiss Lighting – Ghost Cupid" is part of the "K-Village Project," a collaboration between SBS Medianet and the Korea Foundation for Cooperation of Large & Small Business, Rural Affairs.
The production process began with a rough outline written by the director, which was then developed and refined using ChatGPT.
The result was a script that was worked on in meetings before it was finalised.
AI-generated tools also played a crucial role in creating visuals, including character illustrations and backgrounds, reducing the time and cost traditionally associated with such tasks.
Jung In-su, a producer at Kings Creative, noted that AI has drastically simplified processes that used to take much longer.
Jung explained:
"Changing someone’s face on screen previously meant spending several nights rendering and meticulously cleaning up skin. With AI, you can easily experiment with different options to get the result you want."
While "Kiss Lighting – Ghost Cupid" is the first AI-powered drama to hit the Korean airwaves, it is far from the only project of its kind.
Earlier in 2024, MBC C&I launched a programme aimed at discovering new creators by incorporating generative AI and extended reality (XR) technologies into drama production.
Of the 12 selected creators, nine produced pilot episodes, which were shown to invited guests in October during the "Prompt: NEXT DRAMA Screening Day" and later made available to the public.
As AI becomes more integrated into the content creation process, the potential to lower production costs and streamline workflow has opened the door for a wider range of individuals to participate in drama creation, regardless of budget.
The financial benefits of using AI in drama production are clear.
AI tools such as those used by Kings Creative cost less than 100,000 won ($72) per month, a stark contrast to the 200,000-300,000 won typically charged for a single human-created illustration.
Yang Eek-jun, producer at Mateo AI Studio, said:
"We’ve entered an era where creators can be liberated from the constraints of capital and technology thanks to AI. If you make a short film with your own money and it doesn’t get into a film festival, you’re looking at a long break simply because it costs so much money. But now, with AI, you can make films at home with just your time and effort."
Yang believes that AI has made filmmaking more accessible, enabling creators to produce content quickly and at a fraction of the cost it once took.
He added:
"For those of us who create content, I think this is more important than AI dominating humanity."
AI is not just about streamlining production; it is also expanding the creative possibilities for filmmakers.
Jung highlighted the role of AI in generating ideas that may not have otherwise been considered, explaining:
"Starting from the script, everything ultimately relies on big data. AI can access information we might forget and generate text based on facts and directions we provide."
For many writers and directors, AI has become an essential research tool, acting as an "encyclopaedia" to assist in gathering facts and sparking new ideas.
Despite the advantages, the integration of AI in filmmaking comes with challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining audience engagement.
Yang Eek-jun pointed out that while AI can create content quickly, it often struggles to hold attention over longer periods.
Yang shared:
"Creating an AI-featured film, typically at least 80 minutes, is the biggest concern, as AI-generated content often fails to maintain audience engagement beyond the first minute."
With short attention spans becoming the norm, keeping viewers interested for the entire length of a feature film is a challenge that AI-driven creators are still grappling with.
As AI-driven content becomes more prevalent, the issue of copyright and ownership has also come to the forefront.
Lee Seung-ki, an attorney at Lee & Law Partners, raised concerns about the legal complexities surrounding AI-driven content creation, explaining:
"AI dramas and films present a unique challenge, as AI, rather than humans, is driving the creative process."
This brings into question who owns the rights to AI-generated content—whether it’s the AI developers, the creators using the technology, or a collaborative effort.
These legal complexities are compounded by the risk of infringing on existing works, particularly in the case of AI-generated animation, which has shown similarities to the work of studios like Pixar and Disney.
As AI continues to push boundaries in the world of content creation, the legal landscape will need to evolve to keep pace with these technological advancements.
Legal experts like Lee suggest that AI companies may need to establish clear contracts with producers to ensure intellectual property rights are addressed upfront.
Despite the dominance of the U.S. and China in the global AI service market, Korea is carving out a niche for itself as a leader in AI-driven content creation.
The country’s advanced telecommunications and computer infrastructure provide a solid foundation for AI-driven productions.
Producer Lee Sang-wook of MBC C&I pointed out that these technological advantages give Korea a competitive edge in the realm of AI content.
However, as AI continues to shape the entertainment industry, the debate over its potential to replace human creators persists.
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