We are creating a variety of experiential AI content that can satisfy both intellectual property (IP) corporations and fans.
Sweet and Data is an IP-based AI fusion experiential content startup. CEO Ahn Jae-kwan founded it in September 2022. Ahn graduated from Durham University in the UK with a degree in economics, completed a master's program in quantitative economics at the London School of Economics, and completed his doctoral program in industrial engineering at Seoul National University.
CEO Ahn has had a keen interest in the entertainment industry since his school days. He participated in fitness competitions and received awards while working as a model. Recently, he appeared on the Mnet dating program 'Couple Palace.'
CEO Ahn contemplated a business that connects stars and fans using AI technology. His first business was 'Polio,' a service that creates digital portfolios for entertainers based on AI technology.
Ahn stated, "It's a business that produces various profile photos and resumes, including desired hairstyles for actors and models," adding that "afterward, we pivoted to more actively facilitate communication between stars or IP and fans with 'AI photobooth' and 'fan goods platform.'"
The AI photobooth is a platform that enables fans to create various photo content they desire using AI technology. For instance, if a fan of the fantasy film 'Harry Potter,' they can become the protagonist of a scene they wish to see. Ahn mentioned, "By uploading just one or two photos, AI technology can create content photos that the fan desires," and that "the content varies from movies and celebrities to webtoons, influencers, and even corporations' brands and products."
Currently, CEO Ahn is focusing on offline space businesses. There are corporations with diverse content, and he is creating experiential spaces desired by fans of that content.
Ahn described it as a "content-based experiential space business that creates various experiential spaces where fans can take photos they want, including AI photobooths." They already established pop-up stores in theaters and concert halls and operated an AI safety experience photobooth at the Hyundai E&C safety education experience center.
Sweet and Data plans to open a pop-up store at Lotte Cinema's subculture complex space V Square in the second half of the year. They will also create character-based experiential hyper-personalized spaces at Gangnam COEX Starfield.
Ahn noted, "Fans enjoy it, and corporations can carry out the marketing they desire," and added, "What's important is that it's not just a simple space but an experiential character-based space, which requires a substantial amount of expense to create. Sweet and Data can reduce costs using AI photobooths and other methods."
Ahn emphasized that the entertainment and artist market continues to diversify and grow in scale. He said, "In the case of popular stars, they create and sell various content such as towels, posters, and photocard with their IP, but for artists gaining popularity in the indie market, creating such content is difficult due to issues such as expense," and noted that "we will expand our business connecting artists and fans using AI technology in a diversifying cultural content market."
Sweet and Data has also entered the senior content market. Ahn mentioned, "We plan to produce and provide an AI kiosk booth based on fashion IP targeting those in their 40s and 50s in Hyundai Home Shopping's offline shops."
Sweet and Data recorded approximately 700 million won in revenue last year, growing about 11 times compared to the previous year. This year, they aim for 1.5 billion won in revenue. Having recognized their growth potential, they were selected for the Small and Medium Business Administration's TIPS in December last year.
CEO Ahn is also preparing to enter the U.S. market. He stated, "Compared to Korea, the content consumption of U.S. fans is about three times higher," and added, "Starting next year, we plan to kick off global operations by supplying AI photobooths to the U.S. market."