Whales Fantasium

As part of the smart tourism city initiative in Ulsan, I participated in the renovation and exhibition design of a 5D immersive experience theatre. The exhibition focuses on whales, an iconic symbol of the region, and aims to promote the cultural and historical significance of the Bangudae Petroglyphs. By creating a virtual ecological and cultural environment for future generations, the project contributes to the revitalisation of Ulsan’s tourism industry and local economy while establishing a new cultural landmark.

The concept invites visitors on a fantastical journey following a mythical whale as they discover the mysteries, memories, and hidden stories of Ulsan. This immersive interactive media exhibition presents a unique narrative of the region through a series of experiences. Visitors begin at a photo zone inspired by the sea of Ulsan. They then explore themes including the Bangudae Petroglyphs and the memory of the now-extinct Korean grey whale. The experience concludes with a digital aquarium where visitors can create and share their own whale through the city’s mobile tourism application.

Through this exhibition, visitors are encouraged to discover the cultural stories and natural beauty of Ulsan while immersing themselves in the world of whales.

I was actively involved in every stage of the project, from ideation and spatial content design to development and installation. In particular, I created visuals and interactive elements for the Stepping Stone section, focusing on ancient marine animals. This included researching the history of Ulsan and verifying historical details with a local expert. I also developed the player system to ensure seamless synchronisation across multiple signage displays and produced generative visuals for the Porthole installation. Inspired by the sea of Ulsan, the generative artwork was designed to align with the exhibition concept and create a strong first impression for visitors.