[Edaily Kang Gyeong-rok Travel Correspondent ·Oh Hee-na·Kim Una Reporter] An event will be held to explore the process by which a single piece of content is created by an artist, builds a fanbase, and expands into products, brands, and platforms based on intellectual property (IP). The event is “2026 Content Universe Korea,” taking place on the 16th and 17th at the Goyang Flower Exhibition Hall in Ilsan Lake Park, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Now in its fourth year, the event is themed “The Infinitely Expanding Content Economy” and focuses on the content value chain connecting creators, fanbases, and IP, as well as new business opportunities.

The afternoon lectures on the 16th will begin with the “Creator Economy” session. Starting at 1:30 p.m., the session’s theme is “The Age of Creators: A World Where Your Imagination Becomes a Universe.”
Taking the stage will be Taiwanese cartoonist Lin Zhengde (林政德), Professor Jeong Su-hee of Duksung Women’s University, and AI media artist Lee Yum, CEO of Lee Yum Genesis. Lin Zhengde, who will speak on the topic “From Comic Books to Content Universes,” is a popular artist with a dedicated fan base in both Taiwan and South Korea thanks to his youth-oriented comic series *Young Gun*, which began serialization in 1990. Lin, who is currently preparing to produce AI-generated animation, plans to share his experience of how a single work and its characters have maintained a long-term fanbase and grown into a successful IP.
This will be followed by a lecture exploring the content and branding of cultural heritage and the creative possibilities offered by generative AI. Professor Jeong Su-hee will examine the content and branding of cultural heritage and the use of AI in the creative process under the theme “How Does K-Heritage Create the K-Universe?”
Lee Yum, CEO, who will present the “Opening AI Gala Concert” with pianist Song Min-ji at the event’s opening ceremony, will discuss “The Competitiveness of Creators in the AI Era” based on her experience creating with generative AI. Following the lecture, a panel discussion will explore the next 10 years of the creator economy.

The second session, “Fandom Economy,” begins at 2:30 p.m. on the same day. This session focuses on “fandom” as a phenomenon that goes beyond users who simply consume content to one that generates markets and revenue. Speakers include Lim Jin-won, Global Director at Fan Communications; Park Seon-min, CEO of Olim; and Cha Woo-jin, CEO of the Entertainment Culture Research Institute.
Director Im Jin-won will introduce trends in the new content economy driven by superfans under the theme “Fans Are Not Consumers.” Director Im, who oversees the operations of the global fandom platform “JK Fandom,” is a platform and marketing expert specializing in connecting content and IP with fandoms.
CEO Park Sun-min, who previously worked as a television writer and director of performances and festivals, will examine the question, “Why Do Fans Take Action?” As the author of *Fandom Mind* and *K-Pop Insights*, Park plans to provide insights for successful fandom marketing through a generational analysis of fandom.
Director Cha Woo-jin will highlight the importance of fandom marketing. Focusing on fandom data and platform businesses, he will examine the role fandom plays in the K-content industry and present effective fandom marketing strategies through various success stories.

The “IP Economy” session, beginning at 4:00 PM, will feature presentations by Shin Cheol-ho, CEO of OGQ; Choi Yong-seok, CEO of Idea Flap; and Lee Heon-hee, a professor at Gyeongsang National University, under the theme “The Infinite Potential of IP.” The session will cover a wide range of topics, from the distribution of content IP to its expansion into merchandise and brands, as well as legal issues arising during the commercialization process.
CEO Shin Cheol-ho will discuss the evolving role of creators amid changes in AI and the platform environment, as well as the future of the content distribution ecosystem. OGQ, developed by CEO Shin, is an IP platform for content creators that facilitates the trading of images, videos, and audio files; it currently has over 1.3 million registered creators and 17 million users.
CEO Choi Yong-seok will present on the topic “The Last Mile of IP Branding,” explaining how interest in content translates into product purchases and brand experiences. Founded by CEO Choi in 2011, IdeaFlap is a brand marketing firm that has planned and operated pop-up stores for popular character IPs—such as “Toy Story,” “Zootopia,” “Cookie Run,” and “Moomin”—as well as for global brands like Chanel and Adidas.
In the following lecture, Professor Lee Heon-hee will address the legal issues surrounding AI-generated content. Professor Lee, a former expert committee member of the National Intellectual Property Commission, will highlight legal challenges facing the content industry—including copyright and the protection of creators’ rights—in light of the proliferation of generative AI.
The participation fee for “2026 Content Universe Korea” is 10,000 won per person, but admission is free for those who pre-register on the website by 5:00 p.m. on the 15th. A prize giveaway will also be held for pre-registered attendees, with winners selected by lottery to receive prizes such as international airline tickets and hotel stays.