AI brings Korea’s independence heroes back to life

As South Korea marks its liberation from Japanese colonial rule,.. the faces and voices of independence heroes are being brought back to life at a special exhibition in Seoul,.. with the help of artificial intelligence.

Our Park Hyo-been was there.

Five Korean independence heroes stand before the national flag of Korea, raising their hands in triumph.

To mark the 80th Liberation Day of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the National Museum of Korea has restored the faces of five iconic figures, using cutting-edge AI technology.

"Right behind me are five Korean independence heroes, brought back to life using AI. They never lived to see Korea's independence. But today, they're smiling at us, as if they're seeing the free Korea they once dreamed of."

Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Japanese governor Ito Hirobumi, now waves with a bright smile.

Yu Gwan-sun, who died in prison at 17, appears as a shy girl with a gentle smile.

Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil, who threw bombs at Japanese leaders, come alive with warm expressions.

And Ahn Chang-ho, an educator and activist, greets with a friendly wave.

"It was amazing to see what I had only imagined from textbooks. Since it's the 80th anniversary, it really feels like a meaningful exhibition."

"Through AI recreation, I could almost feel their spirit and character."

It's not just their faces that have returned.

A separate video project by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and a local company used AI to recreate the sound of cheers from 1945, the very moment Korea regained its freedom.

"Long live Korean independence!"

Behind that joy lies a darker history, one the museum is also determined to show.

For the first time ever, Japan's surveillance cards of independence heroes are on display.

In particular, the five surveillance cards of Ahn Chang-ho show how his face grew noticeably gaunt through repeated imprisonments.

"These cards were made to systematically manage imprisoned independence activists. They're about palm-sized, but filled with detailed information, including names and photos."

Liberation Day in Korea is more than a historical anniversary.

It is a moment to reflect on the cost of freedom, and to honor those who paid that price.

And now, with AI, the voices and faces of Korea's fight for independence can finally be seen and heard.

Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.