G-Dragon’s Voice and Iris Sent into Space as KAIST Achieves World’s First Successful Transmission of Audio Content from Orbit

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has successfully completed the world’s first project to transmit media-art-based audio content into space in collaboration with G-Dragon. On the 10th, the KAIST Space Research Center announced that it carried out the “Space Audio Transmission Project” on the afternoon of the 9th together with Professor Lee Jin of KAIST’s Media Art department and singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong). This project was part of the “AI Entertainment Technology Research Center” being developed by KAIST and Galaxy Corporation. The collaboration combined KAIST’s advanced space technology, Professor Lee Jin’s media-art works, and G-Dragon’s voice and music. G-Dragon is an artist under Galaxy Corporation and also serves as a visiting professor in KAIST’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. The content transmitted into space consisted of his new song “Home Sweet Home” and an image of G-Dragon’s iris. The iris image, symbolizing uniqueness and identity as a “window to the inner self,” was enhanced using generative artificial intelligence technology. The new song “Home Sweet Home,” combined with an audio message conveying emotional vibrations, was sent into space via KAIST’s next-generation small satellite, which was launched on Nuri호 in May 2023. This effort implemented the theme of an “emotional signal expanding the inner universe of humanity into outer space.” At the event, Professor Lee Jin’s cinematic media-art work titled “Iris” was publicly displayed for the first time using projection mapping on KAIST’s 13-meter space antenna. This generative AI video, created based on G-Dragon’s iris image, was paired with sound derived from bell data of Eiffel Tower bells spanning a thousand years, delivering an emotional artistic experience that transcended time and space. Professor Lee Jin explained, “The iris is a symbol often called the mirror of the soul, reflecting inner emotions and identity,” adding, “We aimed to depict the infinite universe viewed through G-Dragon’s gaze into the depths of humanity.” He further stated, “Space is both a domain of technology and a stage for imagination and emotion,” noting it as a new attempt to express art through the language of science and imagine science through artistic forms. CHO Choi Yong-ho of Galaxy Corporation said, “G-Dragon’s voice and music have now begun their journey into space.” He added that this project not only preserves music as part of humanity’s heritage but also holds significant meaning as an attempt to communicate with space. He further evaluated it as a pioneering effort to introduce human culture to space and a monumental performance that will open a new chapter in music history comparable to that of the Beatles. KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung said, “KAIST is always a place that supports new imagination and challenges,” adding, “We will strive to continue creative research that no one could have imagined before, just like this project that merges science and art.”