This article features 'Emotionwave,' a startup participating in the Korea-Japan Content Industry Summit 'U-KNOCK,' which was jointly held by the Korea Creative…
This article covers the period from July 7 to July 9, 2026.Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA)and beSUCCESSa Korea-Japan content industry summit co-hosted in Tokyo'U-KNOCK'features 'Emotionwave', a participating startup.
Scenes of AI-generated characters gaining popularity on social media, or virtual humans appearing as advertising models, are no longer unfamiliar sights. However, it is rare to find a company that has been anticipating and preparing for such a future since 2013, long before the generative AI boom.
Emotionwave, based in Korea, is precisely that key player. They are expanding their B2B/B2G-based AX (AI Transformation) infrastructure business by providing platforms such as 'Tangle,' an AI influencer creation platform, 'MUTA' for game metaverse, and 'AIMPLE,' an AI companion platform, to corporations and public institutions. In particular, based on solid technological capabilities, including over 48 patents and high technology evaluations (AA/A), they are accelerating towards their goal of listing on KOSDAQ in the first half of 2027, and are preparing to launch an AI influencer platform specialized for the Japanese market in the third quarter of 2026.
CEO Rio Jang, who leads Emotionwave, has a unique background as both an engineer and a musician. After majoring in Computer Science and computer music composition, he presented AI-based jazz performances and Korea's first virtual pianist. Having pioneered the convergence of 'AI×Music×Performance' 13 years before generative AI became mainstream, what future is he envisioning?
Deep Expertise Built Before the Generative AI Boom
CEO Rio Jang majored in Computer Science at Korea University of Technology and Education and studied computer music composition at the Graduate School of Korea National University of Arts. After graduation, he was active as a musician and composer with various theater troupes before founding Emotionwave in 2013. Its beginning was research and development (R&D) that combined VR and artificial intelligence for new theatrical technology for artists and creators.
His firm name, 'Emotionwave,' embodies his firm philosophy. Under the motto, 'Emotions are invisible and technology is cold, but humans are warm,' it means utilizing technology while always keeping human 'emotion' at the center. To this, he added the slogan, 'Everyone becomes a creator.' CEO Jang stated, "The base of creators has expanded globally in areas like music, media, and games, and an era where anyone can utilize AI has arrived. Emotionwave aims to help everyone easily create their own new creators and influencers."
What is noteworthy is his perspective on the current generative AI boom. When asked about the impact of generative AI on his business, given that he has been combining AI with visual elements for 13 years, an unexpected answer was given.
"The generative AI itself has not had a large impact on our business. This is because simply generating text, images, and videos is merely one-dimensional productivity improvement. Rather, true innovation lies in the emergence of 'AI agents.' Multiple AI models connect in the background and operate like a single employee. With just one prompt, a video perfectly combining music, voice, and direction can be completed in just one second. This is a massive turning point that changes the paradigm." (CEO Rio Jang)
CEO Jang diagnosed, "Only a very small number of people globally see the importance of this kind of AI agent technology, and industry sites have not yet fully understood its value." This is also why Emotionwave constantly researches new AI agent technologies.
AI Band Playing with Physical Instruments Featuring 'INFIDITY'
The core brand of Emotionwave's technology is 'INFIDITY.' Combining Infinite and Identity, this name features the tagline, 'To the infinity from your Identity.'
The creative platform born from this, 'Tangle,' generates and controls virtual influencers equipped with stories, visuals, and personalities, targeting MZ generations in Korea and Japan. While it seems similar to America's Character.AI, there are clear differences.
"While Character.AI focuses on text-based chatting, we comprehensively support voice and motion graphics as well. Thanks to this, our virtual influencers can act and communicate naturally, just like real people." (CEO Rio Jang)
Its revenue model also deviates from typical B2C services. CEO Jang defines Emotionwave not merely as a B2C company, but as a B2B/B2G company that supplies AX-based technology infrastructure to various industries. He clarified this by comparing it with 'Zeta,' an AI chat app from Korea's Scatterlab.
"If Zeta is a B2C service focused on a single platform, we provide customized technical infrastructure necessary for various industries, much like Microsoft or Oracle." (CEO Rio Jang)
In fact, Emotionwave's solutions are segmented by industry. 'MUTA' for metaverse games serves as the foundation for the Web3 music ecosystem based on ultra-low latency live streaming technology, and the AI companion platform 'AIMPLE' leads in the entertainment and virtual human sectors. It also possesses robust customized solutions for the education field.
These core technologies are being adopted widely, from pop-up store marketing at the retail giant Shinsegae to public institutions (B2G) such as youth centers and public libraries, and even music education institutions and universities. The most symbolic example is undoubtedly an 'AI band that plays real instruments without people.'
"Even without a performer, the AI directly plays real instruments such as piano and drums. When festival attendees enjoy rhythm games, an AI band performs live in the background according to that. It is receiving explosive reactions at various festival sites across Korea." (CEO Rio Jang)
AI Band Performance Demonstration at 'Seocho Seripul Festival 2024' in Seoul
The collaboration model with entertainment companies is also flexible. Beyond simple technology supply contracts, they are co-producing content, music, and music videos in a form of joint production and sharing profits. Recently, they collaborated with famous domestic rock musician Park Wan-kyu to create a virtual human modeled after him using AIMPLE technology, and utilized this for a new album's music video and a volumetric metaverse performance viewable in 360 degrees.
Volumetric Metaverse Concert by Singer Park Wan-kyu
"We are not simply an outsourcing company. We are a partner who co-produces content with entertainment planning companies and shares the resulting profits, and we ourselves are also IP (Intellectual Property) providers." (CEO Rio Jang)
The Journey Towards Entering the Japanese Market and Successful KOSDAQ Listing
Emotionwave chose Japan as its first foothold for global expansion due to the cultural similarities between the two countries.
"The United States is a reliable ally, but its popular culture trends and marketing methods are too different from Korea. On the other hand, while Japan has differences, it is culturally very similar. This is why we chose Japan as our first global market." (CEO Rio Jang)
Emotionwave plans to launch an AI influencer and fandom platform specialized for the Japanese market in the third quarter of 2026. This is a large-scale project involving the deployment of over 100 AI influencers and the recruitment of more than 10 local influencers, marking the first time they are building a dedicated platform for a specific country.
"We plan to establish a Joint Venture (JV) with Japanese companies that possess competitive IPs or have established content production companies to pioneer new markets. I am confident that this strategy will create the best synergy for both Emotionwave and the Japanese companies." (CEO Rio Jang)
This global vision is expanding beyond Japan to the world. In December 2025, it signed an MOU for a joint project worth $15 million over three years with 'MUTA PTE.', a Web3 company in Dubai, UAE, and 'TCI Ventures'. In the Web3 market, which can easily appear speculative, Emotionwave strongly leverages its 'tangible infrastructure' called 'Muta' as a powerful asset. Furthermore, it is supplying an AI-based education solution named 'VIEW' through a partnership with MESSC, a government-affiliated media and entertainment talent development institution in India, and assisting traditional music and broadcasting companies in the North American region with their transition to AI agents.
Moreover, it has also entered the new convergence field of healthcare. Under the theme of 'Wellness,' which is gaining attention in the European market, it is jointly researching and developing a system with local partners that analyzes users' biometric data and brainwaves, delivering the results through a digital human as a 'virtual twin.' CEO Jang named this technology 'Emotional Architecture.'
So, in an era flooded with AI influencers, won't everything eventually become commoditized? CEO Rio Jang's answer to this question was firm and clear.
"A business model that relies only on actual human influencers or affiliated talents carries a structural risk where confrontation and severance of relationships can happen at any time. This is a fatal risk for a company. However, virtual influencers are different. They are 'complete assets (IP)' that the company can perfectly control and manage—from visuals, personality, costumes, to even atmosphere." (CEO Rio Jang)
CEO Jang emphasized that what most clients ultimately desire is not whether the other party is a 'real human or virtual,' but rather how naturally they can provide an enjoyable interactive entertainment experience.
Entrepreneur Rio Jang, who has crafted warm human emotions within cold technology over the past 13 years. Now, armed with the weapon of 'perfect IP that the company fully owns,' he is moving toward launching a Japan-specialized platform and the larger stage of successful KOSDAQ listing in 2027. The real challenge for Emotionwave begins now.
Original article: Growthstock Pulse
English | 日本語