Hologram helps K-pop

Girls’ Generation performs during the “2013 Girls’ Generation World Tour — Girls & Peace” concert held on June 8 and 9 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in southern Seoul. Members’ holographic images are projected onto a stage backdrop. / Korea Times

By Park Jin-hai

Girls’ Generation concerts show where the future of K-pop lies ― holographic back projection.

In the nine-member girl group’s “2013 Girls’ Generation World Tour – Girls & Peace,” hologram technology was used during their performance.

The concerts held on June 8 and 9 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in southern Seoul, had members’ holographic images projected onto a stage backdrop.

The images, appeared in the opening song “Hoot.”

“The heart of our concert today is holograms,” said Tae-yeon, at a press conference before the concert.

Holography is a technology that enables 3D images of the singers to be projected onto a backdrop. Major entertainment agencies including SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment joined hands with telecommunication companies for “virtual reality” concerts they are planning.

Although the 3D performance didn’t last long, it has been under the limelight as many believe that it could be another locomotive to revive the partly fading K-pop fervor.

The concert also boasted of a smart stage setting, living up to the popularity of the group. A giant fountain and cake, 3.6 meters wide and 1.8 meters high, provided another attraction along with the laser show.

During the two-and-a half hour concerts, the group sang 28 songs, including “Talk Talk,” “The Boys” and “I Got a Boy.” Also included were hit songs such as “Flower Power” and “Paparazzi” that were formerly released in Japan but not in Korea.

Starting from a concert in Taiwan slated for July 20, the group will embark on a world tour, in countries from Asia to America.