[Office N] Emotionwave CEO Rio Jang, who performs magic with art and technology.

This year, various variety shows have appeared. Among them, <My Little Television>, which is familiar as 'Maritel,' overturned the landscape of the variety show industry by creating a new format called 'internet personal broadcasting.' They bring weekly buzz by leading current trends while also evoking nostalgia for the past, such as casting Mr. Kim Young-man, known as the origami man. As a result, they presented comedian Kim Gu-ra with the honor of winning his first Grand Prize in 22 years since his debut.

Actually, the format of <My Little Television> is a system that is active online. 'Afreeca TV' can be cited as a representative channel. 'Video content' that utilizes the talents of individual creators gives people fun and empathy. While its popularity connects to revenue, it also receives criticism from some creators who damage the essence of the content. Nevertheless, companies that provide 'internet personal broadcasting content' are increasing. This is because the potential for growth in the market is large. Emotionwave, which operates Biscoop TV, is one of them. They launched a beta version in June this year and are running towards the goal of 'game specialized broadcasting.' And Emotionwave's CEO Rio Jang is pouring all the capabilities he has built in the fields of art and technology to achieve success in the market.

Hwa-yu?
He said he is CEO Rio Jang, who operates Emotionwave, a platform for art and technological innovation.
When I first came to the office, I thought it was a live cafe. There are so many CDs. There are even LPs?
These show the path I have walked. I actually majored in music and also worked as an artist for one year.

You don't do it now? There's a guitar and bass right next to me.
Currently, I am only focused on management planning. If I have time in the future, I plan to continue my artistic activities like before.
CH1. The intersection of art and technology, 'Emotionwave'

With the vision that 'everyone is an artist,' we aim to create a new world by combining people's influences. We are creating a new communication culture that fuses art and technology by researching and developing things like 'Performance Pro' & 'Web3D Mixed Reality Performance System' with various institutions, and by operating the art group 'Emotionwave Arts' and the game broadcasting channel 'Biscoop TV.'
At first, I was very confused about what kind of company it was while trying to understand information about the company. Things like 'Performance Pro,' 'Web3D Mixed Reality Performance System,' 'R&D,' 'Emotionwave Arts,' and 'Biscoop TV' that I mentioned earlier. It's hard to see how they are all connected?
First, 'Performance Pro' and 'Web3D Mixed Reality Performance System' are examples of R&D. We are doing fundamental technology so that new technologies can spread through industrial revolutions with places like the Korea Aerospace Research Institute or Korea Polytechnic University. It is research technology used by countries or institutions rather than the general public.
Then what about Emotionwave Arts?
Emotionwave Arts is a non-profit organization that has been separated as an art group. In that space, artists create and perform with various media and sound art. The relationship with Emotionwave can be called an affiliate.

'Emotionwave' is a for-profit entity that is an IT venture company,
We research and develop performance content in various schools and institutions.
Also, we show new performances based on art and technology.
We operate 'Emotionwave Arts.'
Do you understand what the convergence of art and technology means now?
I heard that you started 'Beescoop TV,' a game broadcasting channel, based on your past capabilities. However, art and games are seemingly unrelated to what you mentioned before; how did you get started with this?
At first, I spent a lot of time contemplating human creative activities from an artist's perspective. But when I got into management, the viewpoint was different, which was difficult. In the business area, we have to go with a platform that the majority of the public needs. And we also have to follow global trends. I became convinced that the market for individual content creators is growing. Among many fields, I thought it would be great if we could provide 'games,' which is the field that content creators most desire, using our technology, so we launched Beescoop TV in June of this year. You can see this as the beginning of Emotionwave's new channel expansion.

Currently, we are sharing game broadcasts in high definition and on a wide screen without requiring the installation of any specific application. The Android app was released in December, and we plan to release the iPhone app in January of next year. Furthermore, it is scheduled to launch as a full version in mid-January.
I heard that Emotionwave has staked everything on Beescoop TV. However, there is a major competitor called 'AfreecaTV' in the domestic market. What do you think is Beescoop TV's competitiveness for aiming to be No.1 in the market?
It's high definition. I see picture quality as a major standard in video technology. Especially with game broadcasts, good picture quality must be established so that viewers can convey the empathy of playing the game together. In the currently red ocean game broadcasting market, the way we survive is by continuously upgrading the picture quality.
Internet personal broadcasting is a red ocean case globally.
(Click to go to the corresponding news)
It's been half a year since the launch. Are there any effects you are looking forward to in the future?
To speak of quantitative goals, it is an increase in membership sign-ups and achieving maximum traffic.
What related search terms do you hope for Emotionwave in the future?
I hope that Biscoop TV gains a lot of recognition. We place our relationship with customers not for the purpose of profit, but for jointly creating value. We are currently improving based on various feedback. Lastly, I hope that when people think of game broadcasting, Biscoop TV comes to mind first.
CH2. WANTED BY Emotionwave

Currently, the content team, development team, planning team, and design team are recruiting talent for the growth of Biscoop TV.
On the Emotionwave website, they said that the desired talent profile is 'innovation,' 'diligence,' and 'creativity.'
'Creativity' means the ability to conceive ideas. Many people possess ideas, but they can only shine if they make a choice. Therefore, one must have the will to make their own choices. 'Innovation' means achieving new innovations so that the chosen creativity can appear in the world. Otherwise, good services cannot be born. Finally, 'Diligence' means the perseverance to carry on the creativity and innovation mentioned above until they become reality. Just like many artists.
CH3. 'Emotionwave,' which is an extension of what I have been doing.

When I was in college, I majored in computer engineering. Due to the nature of my major, I often worked with machines all day long. Because of that, I gradually started missing communication with people. From then on, I began learning and playing an instrument that awakened my analog sensibility and connected me with people. Gradually, I became immersed in music, and I majored in Music Technology in graduate school. However, ironically, because it is a field where music is created based on technology, I spent a lot of time working with music on the computer. So, I ended up spending more time with computers again. As my major and life balance aligned by fate, I developed content one by one with various people. But there were only machines next to me, and the people kept changing. This was because an economic activity could not be established. So, I sought entrepreneurship that would create economic effects as a single goal, and in April 2013, in the same year, I established 'Emotionwave Arts,' an arts group.
The process of starting a business feels like an extension of my life's work.
I decided to start a business because I wanted to continue what I had been doing since my school days. The field of art meets good people, but it often remains temporary.
Although I was able to be with good people, starting a business is not easy. Various difficulties tend to arise.
I experienced difficulties such as compromises between what I wanted to do and what society needed, or in relationships with people. It is hardest when one does not share a single vision. When I thought we were looking at the same picture, but we weren't, it hurt my feelings because I am human too. However, I think this is also the pain of growth.
A CEO has to overcome the pain of growth and lead the company. So, what efforts did you make for one year after founding the company to build its foundation?
I have continuously conducted research and development. However, it is never for the sake of the company's funds. I continue to do it because it is necessary research for the business progress, as it is now.

In an interview with a previous media outlet, I compared the speed of technological advancement to the KTX. I said that the sense of speed felt by someone riding the KTX and someone watching it are different. Three years have passed since founding, do you feel the current sense of speed?
I am the driver operating the KTX right now. Because I drive on a path called 'internet personal broadcasting' while always being tense, I cannot feel the speed. But I will try to evaluate the speed myself.
CH4. A Day in the Life of Emotionwave's CEO

When we first started, we worked day and night. We repeated eating and sleeping at the office. Because of that, everyone became exhausted, and the work progress slowed down. So since then, everyone proceeds with a flexible schedule. I mainly manage BiscoopTV from the head office. Since Emotionwave Arts operates as an academy, the planning team handles both planning and operation, and because research is only a part of the service development for BiscoopTV, I tend to come to work in a 'part-time capacity.' I am combining the creative process with the company's working process. The colors are clearly different, but since I have been doing two things—art and technology—since long ago, I am running the company by coordinating them well.
Even so, do you not feel any difficulties in the process of convergence?
Of course, there are countless hardships. But because joy coexists with it, we have been able to overcome it until now.
You mentioned that the standard for 'difficult' and 'not difficult' is viewed from the perspective of 'trying' versus 'not trying'?
Everything is a choice. And it's about continuing to try endlessly. Sometimes people ask us why we challenge such difficult fields, but we don't think of it as difficulty. We just chose 'one attempt.'
Then what did you decide for your first attempt in 2016?
It was fundraising and promotion. Next year will be a turning point for our company. Accordingly, we will achieve that goal through meeting new team members who will be hired.
Looking back at 2015, when have you felt proud as the CEO of the company?
When I look back on the past, regarding quantitative aspects, I think, 'Did we even do this?', and regarding qualitative aspects, I think, 'We've come this far.' It's something that can be felt because we tried everything. Rather than saying where I felt proud, I feel proud of the very act of trying.

Anyone can make a plan, but it is rare for things to proceed exactly as planned.
But if you are satisfied looking back at the process that has passed,
Couldn't you feel even more proud than what was planned?
What kind of representative do you want to grow into in the future?
'Let's constantly change ourselves' is my motto. I will grow the company by matching the trends that customers want with the values we pursue. It might sound like a cliché answer, but it's true. (Laugh)
CH5. GOOD JOB

I think a good job (good company) is a place where employees can dream and are given the maximum capacity to realize those dreams.
What kind of culture and welfare does Emotionwave currently have?
We build relationships by sharing things we like. So, we sometimes go see performances together or play games in the office. Sometimes we even analyze the games. (Laugh) In the future, I want to build various cultures and welfare so that everyone can feel comfortable within the company.
What kind of culture or welfare do you want to build?
I once saw a company in Silicon Valley, USA, that had a separate drum practice room. When they were stressed while working, they would go in and play. It looked really cool. Since we can handle one instrument per person, I want to create such a facility.
Please give warm but realistic advice to job seekers who dream of starting their own business.
I want to criticize the system for nurturing entrepreneurs currently running in universities. It seems like they only have a vision of 'Youth Entrepreneur Cultivation' but don't care about the overall process. It's good that they give opportunities to young people with national budgets, but I feel disappointed that they only intensively manage things up to award ceremonies or competitions. After that, it feels like they just wash their hands of it? However, if you believe you can overcome that path and want to challenge yourself, I recommend trying it right now. You shouldn't delay any longer; I hope you take action immediately. There's a saying, 'The start is half the battle,' right? From then on, you have to create your own story.
Today is the last day of 2015. Please send an end-of-year message to Office N subscribers.
December 31st is a day where excitement and regret for the New Year and the passing year intersect. I hope you wrap up 2015 well and beautifully imagine and plan for the future of 2016. Happy New Year to everyone! ^^
Article source: Office NRio Jang, CEO of Emotionwave, who performs magic with art and technology.