Reflections on the 2026 Korea AI Content Awards
- Original source
- blog.naver.com
[Journalist: Jo Yesul]
The '2026 Korea AI Content Awards' took place at Lotte Cinema Suwon on October 15-16, showcasing the evolving landscape of AI-generated films. As we enter an era where AI creates movies, what do audiences encounter in these films? Is it a showcase of technological advancement or new narratives born from these technologies?
Over the two-day event, I attended the first day, where I watched various works and participated in a talk session with the audience. It was a valuable opportunity to explore the current state of AI content and reflect on the essence of human creativity.
A total of 1,528 works were submitted to the awards from 87 countries and regions, with 20 selected for the finals. A new category for mid-length films, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, was introduced this year, indicating a shift from short videos to longer narratives in AI content.
It was noted that an average of over 3.9 AI tools were used to create each piece, reflecting a shift towards combining various technologies to complete the visuals and stories.
A phrase that resonated with me during the event was ‘the oldest stories with the newest tools.’ Although AI is a new technology, the themes explored—family, relationships, love, and humanity—are timeless.
I watched two films, 'About the Memories You Couldn’t Sell' and 'Without Echo.' It was my first time viewing AI films on a large screen, and I wondered if it would feel awkward or out of place. However, once the films began, I was engrossed in the stories, forgetting they were AI-generated. While traces of AI could be found in the text on screen, the narratives left a more lasting impression than the technology itself.
After the screenings, a discussion session with the directors followed. Director Oh Il-seok, who adapted his short story into a film, spoke about the possibilities AI offers in visualizing stories that are challenging to realize in reality. In contrast, director Oh Gi-hyung, who used his own paintings in 'Without Echo,' shared the challenges of maintaining scene consistency during production.
The awards ceremony highlighted the diversity of creators, including professionals and amateurs from various backgrounds, all using AI to tell their stories. The winner of the mid-length category, 'Roy on the Road,' posed profound questions about humanity and love through the lens of a robot wanting to become human. The creator acknowledged ChatGPT as a co-creator during the acceptance speech, which added a humorous touch to the event.
As AI continues to evolve, the real question is not just what can be created with AI, but what stories will be told through this technology. The 2026 Korea AI Content Awards served as a reminder of the enduring nature of storytelling, even as we embrace new tools.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/224448841425
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