![](\"https:\/\/dkepdx27q19o5.cloudfront.net\/app\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/29032349\/NP-X-KAIST.png\" "\\"NP")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>SESSION 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> June 19th, 2025 (THU) | 13:30 \u2013 14:00<\/p>\n<\/div> NP<\/strong>, VUE Div. & Director Chang Jun Park & KAIST<\/strong>, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Hyeong dong Park, Sunil Kim<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> I received my Ph.D. in Brain, Cognition, and Behavior from Pierre and Marie Curie University in France in 2014 under the supervision of Dr. Catherine Tallon-Baudry. I subsequently worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland under Dr. Olaf Blanke until 2020. Following that, I served as an Associate Professor at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan until July 2023. I am currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at KAIST.<\/p>\n<\/div> I joined Professor Jaeseung Jeong\u2019s laboratory at KAIST’s Department of Bio and Brain Engineering in 2020 and earned my Ph.D. there in 2025. Our laboratory belongs to both the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and the Center for Contemplative Science at KAIST. We investigate the neural mechanisms underlying human consciousness and decision-making. In particular, we aim to uncover how interactions between the brain and internal bodily organs (such as the heart, lungs, and stomach) contribute functionally to conscious experiences like perception, self-awareness, and voluntary actions. Through this work, we seek to address the “hard problem of consciousness”\u2014namely, how and why subjective experiences arise from physical brain processes.<\/p>\n Additionally, we study the operational principles of cortical and subcortical circuits involved in human decision-making and social cognition, as well as how these circuits are impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders. Utilizing EEG, functional MRI (fMRI), and computational modeling, we aim to construct an integrated model of cognitive dysfunction and explore the potential for controlling behaviors in patients, machines, and even animal groups through brain-computer interface (BCI)-based neuromodulation technologies.<\/p>\n Our research extends across several areas:<\/p>\n Medical applications<\/strong>: Understanding and developing treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders related to consciousness and emotions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Industrial applications<\/strong>: Developing VR-based rehabilitation technologies and brain-machine integration systems.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Expansion of consciousness studies<\/strong>: Deep analysis of diverse conscious experiences such as meditation, sense of agency, and metacognition.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Neuroaesthetics and cultural neuroscience<\/strong>: Decoding brain responses related to art, music preference, and modes of human communication.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Through an interdisciplinary approach that bridges neuroscience, psychology, engineering, and philosophy, we explore the essence of humanity. Ultimately, we aim to pioneer personalized therapeutic strategies and brain\u2013machine convergence technologies, positioning ourselves at the forefront of global research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Since 2007, I have been designing and executing brand experiences by leading experiential projects for various public institutions and corporations. Currently, I head the VUE (Virtual Unlimited Experience) Division at NP, where we continuously develop solutions that overcome the constraints and limitations of human experience within expanded realities through XR content that bridges the physical and virtual worlds.<\/p>\n<\/div> Founded in 2006, NP Inc. specializes in the planning and production of content from a brand experience perspective. Our business is divided into three major areas: offline, online, and XR content, all collaborating to pursue boundless experiential possibilities across different domains.<\/p>\n NP pioneered Korea\u2019s first XR production infrastructure, the NP XR Stage, and in 2021 became the first company in the industry to be listed on the KOSDAQ market. Recently, NP launched the XR meditation app MUA and is preparing to release various lifestyle content powered by XR technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Changjun Park, Executive Director at NP<\/strong><\/span> During my experience planning and producing the opening ceremony of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, where we showcased Korea\u2019s cultural excellence to a global audience, I encountered advanced new media art technologies. Through the process of reinterpreting and adapting these technologies in a uniquely Korean way, I came to believe that new media technology would become an indispensable core technology for humanity\u2019s future.<\/p>\n Since then, I have participated in various public art projects leveraging new media, including Seoul Light at DDP, the 5G commercialization interactive content at Gwanghwamun, media art projects utilizing World Cultural Heritage sites, and XR concerts for K-pop artists. Throughout these experiences, I noticed limitations in the immersive environments offered to consumers.<\/p>\n Last year, Meta and Apple led the market by launching new XR head-mounted displays (HMDs), and this year, companies like Samsung and other major tech players are preparing to release their new products as well. Additionally, announcements about more user-friendly XR glasses are generating excitement. As expectations for the XR hardware market grow, so too does the demand for immersive software that can fully maximize the capabilities of these devices.<\/p>\n At NP, the VUE (Virtual Unlimited Experience) Division, which I lead, is actively responding to these rapidly evolving technological environments by developing and launching XR killer content across diverse genres and service formats.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Changjun Park, Executive Director at NP<\/strong><\/span> MUA is the world\u2019s first AI-based XR meditation content app that analyzes personal tendencies and current emotional states using various biosignals collected from the user\u2019s wearable devices and recommends meditation programs accordingly. It features a proprietary algorithm co-developed with KAIST, which analyzes accumulated data through machine learning to build individualized baseline models. The more the user interacts with the app, the more accurately it can detect the user\u2019s state, thus making the meditation experience feel more direct and effective.<\/p>\n The experience starts in a mixed reality (MR) environment that uses the real-world space as a background and then gradually transitions into a fully virtual reality (VR) environment. This design helps users immerse themselves more deeply into meditation while minimizing the discomfort and disorientation often associated with using VR content and devices.<\/p>\n Additionally, all meditation content in MUA is created based on Solfeggio frequencies, which are known to promote mental and physical well-being. Simply following the provided sequences helps reduce stress and tension to a meaningful degree.<\/p>\n MUA is the first XR HMD (head-mounted display) application developed and produced by a Korean company and is currently officially available on the Meta Horizon Store. It boasts some of the highest graphical quality achievable on HMD devices, including seamless MR-to-VR transitions and stunning particle effects. Based on the concentrated planning and technical capabilities invested in its launch, NP plans to not only expand MUA\u2019s meditation content but also extend its reach to platforms such as Project Moohan and Apple Vision Pro, focusing heavily on targeting global markets in North America and Europe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Changjun Park, Executive Director at NP<\/strong><\/span> Most Silicon Valley companies adopted meditation into their Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) over a decade ago to enhance workplace productivity, and there have been continuous efforts to scientifically validate the effectiveness of meditation through programs like MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction). Additionally, an increasing number of academic papers demonstrate that XR-based meditation, with its strong visual effects, helps beginners achieve deeper immersion in meditation practices.<\/p>\n MUA continuously records and analyzes data on users’ emotional states before and after use. By building a robust database of clinical results through its proprietary algorithms, we aim to scientifically demonstrate how MUA alleviates stress and anxiety. Our goal is to further develop MUA as a digital therapeutic (DTx) solution, receiving formal approval for use in treating and rehabilitating mental health conditions from a bio-industry perspective.<\/p>\n As XR meditation technology becomes more advanced and integrates AI capabilities, enabling real-time communication, content adjustment, and even content generation, I believe that MUA can evolve beyond meditation content into a comprehensive digital mental health solution that addresses the broader needs of modern society.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Changjun Park, Executive Director at NP<\/strong><\/span> The institute is grounded in the belief that by analyzing meditation using scientific theories from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and physiology, and by applying these insights to education, it can foster individuals with enhanced empathy and creativity, thereby contributing to greater social value. Its research spans a wide range\u2014from fundamental sciences like neuroscience and cognitive science to applied fields such as brain engineering and artificial intelligence\u2014with the ultimate aim of becoming a global leader at the core of brain science research.<\/p>\n MUA shares a strong alignment with the vision of the Meditation Science Research Institute. Rather than merely promoting the benefits of meditation in abstract terms, MUA seeks to enable users to experience the tangible effects of meditation through biometric data. After a year of positive discussions and collaboration based on this shared philosophy, we are now advancing this project together.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Changjun Park, Executive Director at NP<\/strong><\/span> Many people have tried meditation at least once. Yet, most often they wonder: “Am I meditating correctly? Is this really working?” I firmly believe that in order to discover new possibilities, it is essential to form partnerships with experts from diverse fields who share the same vision and can imagine new futures together.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Changjun Park, Executive Director at NP<\/strong><\/span> As mentioned earlier, many companies\u2014particularly in North America\u2014have already adopted various meditation programs to enhance employee productivity. Traditionally, creating meditation spaces within offices or hiring meditation instructors required substantial costs and complicated procedures. In contrast, MUA offers a simple, efficient solution that can improve employees’ mental health and work performance without those burdens.<\/p>\n We hope that executives and corporate stakeholders will take great interest in MUA as a cost-effective, scalable alternative for promoting wellness and efficiency in the workplace.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Currently, I am a researcher at the Decision Neuroscience Laboratory in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at KAIST, where I analyze EEG and fMRI data using methodologies that integrate deep learning techniques and complex systems physics. My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying brain aging and pathological processes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
At NP, we aim to create surreal experiences that transcend the physical limitations of space and time within expanded reality. I am responsible for identifying new market opportunities within this expanded reality and developing XR content tailored to these emerging markets.<\/p>\n
The first XR content publicly released by NP is “MUA”, an application centered on the core concept of easily identifying a user’s emotional state based on data measured from wearable devices.<\/p>\n
MUA is ultimately focused on helping individuals recognize and manage their emotions. Recently, wellness trends have expanded from general well-being to include “well-dying,” spreading even among the MZ generation (Millennials and Gen Z). Interest in mental health, in particular, has been rapidly increasing.<\/p>\n
Our partner, the Meditation Science Research Institute within the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at KAIST, was established in 2018 with the goal of scientifically investigating the effects and mechanisms of meditation through fields such as neuroscience and cognitive psychology.<\/p>\n
Most XR-based content tends to focus heavily on visual effects. While creating visuals that appear even more realistic than the real world is important, it should not end there. With the rapid advancement of AI, the realm of what we can imagine and achieve has expanded significantly. Countless amounts of data are being generated around us every second, often without our awareness, and AI can use this data to offer concrete, actionable solutions.<\/p>\n
This is where MUA began. Rather than focusing solely on XR technology, we integrated advances across multiple fields\u2014AI development, the popularization of wearable devices, and the scientific trend of biofeedback\u2014to create a meditation experience that is easy, accessible anytime and anywhere, and provides real-time feedback on its effectiveness. Even beginners can now engage in meditation and immediately verify its impact.<\/p>\n
Currently, MUA operates as a B2C model, providing meditation content to individual users through its platform. However, we are preparing to launch a B2B service that can be integrated into companies’ Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).<\/p>\n