On the 8th, Im Kyeong-yung, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Nol Universe, met at the headquarters located in Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. When asked whether it was essential to use faces as a means to prevent illegal ticket sales (scalping), he noted, "We considered fingerprint and vein authentication procedures, but since they require separate devices for registration, I believe that giving fingerprint and vein registration devices similar to NFT ticket transfers would be pointless."
Im Kyeong-yung joined Interpark Triple in 2022 after working at Naver, NCSOFT, and Nexon. Currently, he serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the institutional sector of Nol Universe. Nol Universe is a newly established corporation that was formed on Dec. 27 last year from the integration of the Yanolja platform and the Interpark Triple organization. Im has been considering a 'straightforward approach' to eradicate illegal ticket sales, which are often seen as a chronic issue in the entertainment industry.
To address this issue, Nol Universe has collaborated with major entertainment corporations HYBE and fintech Toss to establish a straightforward approach. They constructed a system called 'Face Pass' to prevent scalping through face verification. Im CTO stated, "The three corporations, each at the pinnacle of their fields, have challenged new domains with initiatives like 'entry in one second' and 'perfect prevention of scalping.' Although it may seem impossible, we must challenge ourselves to find better solutions. This is where the three corporations found common ground."
The collaborative effort of the three corporations, Face Pass, is set to be introduced for the first time at the fan meeting event of the idol group Tours (TWS), which will take place from Feb. 14 to 16. Face Pass allows rapid entry into the venue by verifying identity through facial recognition without a separate ticket or identification. The verification process takes only one second. However, the registered face can only be used for the specific account, and changes to the registered face are not allowed, effectively preventing scalping.
Next is the Q&A with Im, the CTO.
Please explain the process of implementing Face Pass.
"By tapping the 'Face Pass' tab on the My Page of the Toss or Interpark app, users can register their face to the relevant ID account. Although attendees may think the face is stored in the 'photo ID' format since they capture their own image, the technology implemented by Toss converts the facial pattern into information values to construct a database.
For example, the patterns of the face, such as the height of the nose and the distance between the eyes, are analyzed and saved as data. When the event organizers capture a user's face using an iPad equipped with the Face Pass system, they verify identity by checking if the information values converted from the captured photo match the already saved pattern information values."
The Face Pass system will be introduced in February. Can people enter without registering their face?
"No. Customers who have not registered their facial information can enter by submitting their identification to staff for verification according to existing procedures. However, as K-pop performances or fan meetings grow in scale, verifying each person's face can lead to inefficiencies and longer wait times. To address this, we introduced Face Pass so fans and attendees can enter more quickly and conveniently."
If a face was registered when purchasing the ticket, but it has changed due to cosmetic procedures or other reasons, will entry be denied?
"If someone has undergone cosmetic surgery or their face has changed due to growth, Face Pass may fail to verify identity. To address this issue, we will operate a separate booth at the venue. If verification is possible through documents or identification, we plan to implement an additional onsite system for face re-registration. However, to prevent abuse, such as fraudulent transfers, we intend to limit the number of face re-registrations."
Are there concerns about the misuse of face information registered in Face Pass?
"Many people misunderstand that, due to the term 'Face Pass', registered facial photos are compared to the real face. The system analyzes and converts facial patterns, considering changes due to angles or characteristics, into data. This database is managed separately by Toss. Access is limited to a minimal number of personnel to prevent hacking, leaks, and theft."
To ensure this, Toss underwent a pre-appropriateness review process with the Personal Information Commission. We are also seeking safe handling measures under the Personal Information Protection Act. We are working to thoroughly manage personal information, obtaining various overseas certification qualifications related to data protection. We will do our utmost to ensure that concerns expressed by users do not materialize."
Are there plans to apply Face Pass to future new business or linked product development?
"If the TWS fan meeting concludes successfully, I expect requests to arise from other sectors, such as sports viewing and leisure industries, in addition to the entertainment industry of performances and planning. Furthermore, with the integration of Yanolja and Interpark Triple into Nol Universe, our business scope has expanded. We are also planning to extend Face Pass to fields like aviation and accommodation. Although not yet finalized, we are considering linking Face Pass to goods and MD (merchandising) sold at the fan meeting venue."
It seems like there is pressure as the first project introduced under the name Nol Universe is 'Face Pass.'
"I believe that the synergy generated by the rich technology and know-how of Yanolja and the ticketing power of Interpark Triple will create a positive outcome (laughs). Although all three companies have thoroughly prepared, the TWS fan meeting will be the initial opportunity to showcase how we are effectively resolving the concerns of audiences and fans. We will work hard to ensure that the Face Pass is successfully established in the industry."