“If the 20th century was the era of Hollywood entertainment, the 21st century is the era of Korean entertainment.”
“In the midst of the growing influence of K-content, we aim to create a global hub for virtual content connecting LA, Seoul, and Paris.”
The global status of Korean cultural content is no longer a new story. The Economist recently reported that at Kakao Entertainment’s digital avatar PLAYVE pop-up store in Seongsu-dong, there were as many foreign visitors from Southeast Asia, China, Taiwan, and Japan as there were local fans, and many overseas fans checked information online in advance before visiting. This was yet another demonstration of the worldwide interest in Korean cultural content.
In this context, LAPS Inc. is a company aiming to become a global hub for virtual content connecting LA, Seoul, and Paris, in line with the growing influence of K-content. Founded in 2024, LAPS seeks to lead the next-generation entertainment market with digital doubles and virtual characters that combine AI, motion capture, and 3D graphics. The global leadership team, including CEO Blake Barrett Kuhre, who led Gen Z content strategy at The Walt Disney Company, COO Kim Doi, formerly of CJ ENM, and CFO Charlotte Aubin, who created the virtual influencer Lil Miquela, is combining the cultural sensibilities and technological strengths of each city to drive innovation for the global market.
We spoke with CEO Blake, who leads LAPS, via video call.
The First Step Toward a Global Hub: LAPS Begins in LA
Q. I heard you are currently in LA.
Yes, I moved to LA about 17 years ago. At the time, I was working at Walt Disney, and they sent me to LA. I consider myself very lucky to have ended up at the center of the global entertainment industry.
The weather in LA is similar year-round, so time seems to pass quickly. Although I was born and raised in Texas, most of my career has been built in LA.
LA is expensive, but it’s a great place to live. The weather is fantastic, and being close to nature makes it easy to enjoy hiking or skiing. It’s also convenient for flights to the Asia-Pacific region.
Q. LAPS is based in LA, Paris, and Seoul. Why did you choose these three cities as your main hubs, and how do you assess the market potential of each region?
LA is the center of the global entertainment industry, home to major American entertainment companies. Paris is the fashion capital of the world and one of the largest cities in Europe. The Paris team also has experience creating the virtual influencer Lil Miquela, giving them a strong advantage in digital double and virtual character production.
If the 20th century was the era of Hollywood and American entertainment, I believe the 21st century is the era of Korean entertainment. K-pop, Korean dramas, and films have already become global phenomena, and American companies like Netflix are actively purchasing Korean content. Our COO, Kim Doy, is a former CJ ENM executive who was on stage with the team when the film “Parasite” won the Academy Award.
By combining these experiences and the strengths of each city, we aimed to create a global company spanning North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Q. What led to the establishment of LAPS as a joint venture?
In 2024, I first met my partners at the Web3 Summit Consensus in Austin, Texas. As we networked and exchanged ideas at this large gathering, the idea for LAPS began to take shape.
Q. You seem to be developing in various fields such as digital avatars and phygital concerts. What are your main areas of focus?
We can divide our focus into two main areas. One is creating “digital doubles”—digital replicas of existing celebrities, influencers, and athletes. The other is creating entirely new “digital avatars.”
Digital avatars are particularly interesting. Virtual influencers like Lil Miquela have already achieved great success. One of our team members was involved in creating Lil Miquela at their previous company.
Virtual influencers, unlike real influencers, are free from fatigue, scheduling issues, and controversies, and can be flexibly utilized in ways that brands desire.
Bridging National Boundaries: Exploring the Intersection of K-Content and Web3
Q. What are the differences between the Korean and global markets?
The Web3 ecosystems in Korea and LA each have distinct characteristics. Korea does not offer a particularly flexible environment for Web3 and virtual identities, which can pose certain constraints when introducing new technologies and platforms. However, at the same time, Korea possesses globally recognized entertainment content and innovative technology, allowing it to play a significant role in the global market.
LA, on the other hand, is at the center of innovation in the Web3 ecosystem. It provides an optimal environment for realizing new ideas and projects through the convergence of entertainment and technology. Regulations are relatively flexible, and there is active experimentation and innovation in Web3 technology, supported by startups and venture capital.
Our goal is to combine the strengths of both regions to develop products that can succeed in the global market. The Korean entertainment industry has already achieved worldwide success in music, drama, and film. This is one of the reasons we are focusing on the Korean market. We aim to follow the successful cases of Korean entertainment and create a global boom.
Q. Are there any ongoing projects in Korea?
While I can’t disclose specific details, we are actively discussing collaborations with various Korean partners, including the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and the Korea Communications Agency (KCA). Korea is a very important market for us, and we are opening up various possibilities through partnerships.
Q. The combination of AI and motion capture technology is impressive. Compared to Korean avatar companies, what do you think sets LAPS apart?
LAPS’s strength is not just in technology. Most importantly, we understand and reflect the “cultural nuances” necessary for successful entry into specific markets. This is possible through the collaboration of our global core team, which covers the Asia-Pacific (APAC), North America, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa (EMEA) regions.
Our ability to create and operate content tailored to the culture and sensibilities of each region is a key differentiator from other virtual avatar companies.
Q. I heard you are also developing a project with the Paris team led by CFO Charlotte Aubin.
Yes, we are currently working on a project focused on DOOH (Digital Out of Home) experiences. We are trying to create new forms of interaction with the public by merging physical spaces and digital content. Through collaboration with the Paris team, we are striving to provide more innovative content experiences.
Q. Lastly, what is LAPS’s long-term vision?
Our goal is to provide new entertainment experiences through virtual avatars and digital content in the global market. Within the next five years, as technology advances, we plan to offer a platform where users can create and utilize their own virtual characters.
Additionally, we aim to become a beloved global brand by understanding cultural differences in the global market and developing products that reflect them.
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