 An attendee tries out the “Motion-sync game” at the Live Park 4D showcase in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. |
By Kwaak Je-yup
To most people, a theme park means numerous rides and attractions in one physical complex, like Disney World or Universal Studios. But one creative agency says it can lure people away from roller coasters to their virtual rides.
Live Park, created by New York and Seoul-based d’strict Holdings, is the first user-generated “4D” theme park that positions itself as a mix between an IMAX cinema, the Nintendo Wii videogame console, the blockbuster 3D film Avatar (2009) and hologram technology, although coming short of a Dr. Who-style time-hopping experience.
“It’s a totally new platform that defies categorization,” said Chey Eun-seok, d’strict’s co-founder and CEO, at a promotional press conference held at the CGV Yeongdeungpo in southwestern Seoul, Tuesday. “It is a space-saving inner city entertainment venue that combines a hi-tech theme park, games, performances, installation art and (software) content, among others.”
At the event, Chey seemed at a loss for words to explain the Live Park’s concept to journalists and investors in attendance. While he claimed 4D was “realistic media that crosses boundaries between the virtual, the real and me (the mind),” the term 4D still rings few bells among the general public.
Essentially, Live Park lets every visitor experience the attractions through interactive virtual reality, allowing intensely personal entertainment. The management said it planned to expand its library of 4D experiences, or “episodes,” in their words, to maximize the physical space’s utility.
“When you go to a conventional theme park, you are but an audience to, at best, a pretty realistic show,” said Chey. “We added the dimension of role-playing _ in which Korea is best at _ so that the experience is authentic.”
Its world premiere took place at the Asian Attraction Expo in Sentosa, Singapore, last June. It was received warmly by critics, investors and the general public.
“Even if we fail this time around, someone will eventually succeed with this idea,” said Chey, adding that this new media-based performance and realistic entertainment industry is going to surpass $150 billion in 2015, from $14.4 billion in 2009. “That’s the faith we have, taking on this project.”
A prototype space is in the works in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to be showcased to journalists and investors from next month. A permanent facility will be opened September next year in an undisclosed location in Asia, according to d’strict.
Chey said he is inspired by visionary entertainment companies like Canadian circus troupe Cirque du Soleil and the Steve Jobs-founded Pixar Studios because they have widespread, almost universal appeal, for children to adults.
“I want to show the world that by imagination, everyone’s life can become better.”
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