Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) mechanical engineering visiting professor and singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) delivered a message to graduates at KAIST's 2026 commencement.
At the '2026 degree conferment ceremony' held on the 20th at KAIST's main campus in Daejeon, Professor G-Dragon encouraged graduates taking their first steps into society through a video. President Lee Jae-myung also attended the degree conferment ceremony with First Lady Kim Hea-kyung that day.
In his congratulatory remarks, G-Dragon opened by saying, "Congratulations. Sincerely, congratulations. You did it, and you are people who will continue to do it," He then said, "Now you are entering a world without right answers. It's okay to be wrong, you just must not stop. The courage to choose a path different from others, that courage will ultimately take you the farthest. Start freely today," emphasizing the courage not to fear failure.
Graduates on site responded with cheers and applause to his warm consolation and encouragement from an icon of the era.
G-Dragon's ties with KAIST go back to June 2024. At the time, KAIST said it appointed G-Dragon as a visiting professor in the mechanical engineering department, saying, "We will apply the latest scientific technologies to K-content and the cultural industry to expand the global competitiveness of Korean culture," generating a stir.
After his appointment, G-Dragon went beyond a mere promotional ambassador role and continued concrete actions.
In 2024 and 2025 he attended 'Innovate Korea' in consecutive years and held a special talk show on the theme "The future of AI entertech." There he shared his experience and insights as a world-class artist, spreading creative thinking and presenting his own vision for AI and the future entertainment industry.
KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung said, "Professor G-Dragon has a pioneering spirit that explores unknown realms, and that aligns with KAIST's spirit." G-Dragon also expressed his aspirations upon joining the faculty, saying, "I hope that science geniuses and entertainment will meet and that a 'Big Bang' will occur."
His agency, global AI entertech corporation Galaxy Corporation, also collaborated with KAIST to establish an 'AI entertech research center' and participated in research projects that apply Digital Twin, AI avatar, and Metaverse technologies to entertainment. <
[Photo] Galaxy Corporation
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