Yu Gwansun in School Uniform, Principal Kim Gu... AI Video Celebrating Liberation Day Draws Attention

"Independence Heroes, Recognized as Living Presences in Everyday Life"

A video created using artificial intelligence (AI) to depict independence activists in contemporary school settings is drawing significant attention.

Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education 81st Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration Project Video 'Heroes Come to School'. Daejeon Office of Education

According to the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education on August 15, the video, which was posted on Instagram and other platforms on August 11, has been receiving an enthusiastic response, recording over 200,000 views daily and more than 10,000 views per hour up until the previous day.

This content uses generative AI to imagine what it would look like if independence activists such as Yu Gwansun, Ahn Junggeun, Yun Bonggil, and Kim Gu were living in today’s schools. The Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education participated in every stage from planning to production.

The video features scenes such as Yu Gwansun as a smiling high school student in a school uniform, Ahn Junggeun as an archery club athlete, Yun Bonggil as a teacher, and Kim Gu as a school principal—all portrayed in vivid and lifelike fashion. The approximately 90-second video concludes with these figures shouting "Manse" together with citizens and students in front of the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education building.

The Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education aimed for students to perceive independence activists not merely as figures from history, but as living presences in today’s schools and daily life. The focus was on naturally conveying the message that, on the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day, the values that the patriots sacrificed to protect have carried over into the ordinary lives we cherish today. Previously, the office also produced AI-driven planning videos for Parents’ Day and Teachers’ Day.

Kim Junggwon, an official in the Public Relations Office of the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education who spearheaded the video’s planning and production, told Yonhap News Agency, “I wanted to make independence activists feel familiar and alive in daily life, not distant historical figures, for students and citizens. We took special care not to damage the image of the independence activists during production, ensured the Taegukgi flag was depicted accurately, and adhered strictly to AI ethics.”

O Seokjin, Superintendent of the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education, said, “I hope this will serve as an opportunity for our students to remember the sacrifice and dedication of the patriots and to reflect on how their spirit continues on in our daily lives.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.