Giantstep

What Giantstep does

Giantstep is a South Korea-based creative technology studio founded in 2008 that delivers visual content production services across VFX, virtual production, real-time engine content, XR/AR/VR experiences, and AI-powered virtual humans. The firm serves a diversified enterprise client base including global streaming platforms (Netflix), Korean conglomerates (Samsung, Hyundai), K-pop labels (HYBE, SM Entertainment), game publishers (NC Soft, Webzen), broadcasting networks (JTBC), and government/cultural institutions (KOCCA, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Osaka Expo). Core technical capabilities are built around the proprietary A.I-One Studio virtual production facility (chroma key and LED wall, patent-pending), FacialX AI facial capture system, ImageFlow AI generative tool (developed by subsidiary SiloLab), PROJECT VINCENT photorealistic digital human, and real-time engine expertise on Unreal Engine.

Revenue is generated through project-based content production services (VFX, commercials, cinematic content, music videos, design and motion graphics), exhibition and IP-based content (King of Kings immersive exhibitions, ticketed media art experiences), subsidiary hardware infrastructure sales (Kima Systems — KBO stadium intercoms, IDC storage, broadcast equipment), and government-commissioned studio operations (Namsan XR Studio). Pricing is quote-based and project-specific with no publicly disclosed rate cards. Distribution is direct enterprise sales via Seoul headquarters and a Los Angeles (Burbank) regional office, supplemented by competitive bidding for government and institutional projects and strategic IP partnerships such as the 2025 MOU with Mofac Studios for King of Kings expansion. Notable operational milestones include MSG Sphere vendor registration in 2024, co-production of the King of Kings 3D animation ($60M+ North American box office in 2025), and operation of the Korean Pavilion media art at the 2025 Osaka Expo (3.15M visitors).

Name

Giantstep

Legal name

주식회사 자이언트스텝

Website

https://giantstep.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Giantstep is a South Korea-based creative tech studio founded in 2008 that delivers VFX, virtual production, XR/AR experiences, and AI-powered virtual human content for global brands, streaming platforms, K-pop labels, game publishers, and government cultural institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Visual Effects and Digital Content Production Services

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Software Publishers (51321), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Animation Services for VFX (Creature/Character, Crowd, Simulation Support) (MPADAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

XR/AR/VR/MR Development Frameworks & Toolchains (MPAFAFAF), Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds (BPAMAKAF)

Keywords

• Visual effects production
• Virtual production studio
• AI virtual humans
• Immersive XR content
• Digital content creation

Headquarters

HQ city

Yeoksamdong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Content Production Services: One-time production fees for visual content including advertising VFX, film VFX, cinematic content, design/motion graphics, and music videos. Revenue recognized per project completion.
2. Real-time Content Solutions: Production of immersive real-time content for various platforms including XR experiences, virtual studios, interactive installations, and virtual human applications.
3. Exhibition and IP-based Content: B2C revenue from immersive exhibitions like 'The Greatest Love' (King of Kings IP), operating brand spaces and experience zones. Ticket sales and merchandise.
4. Hardware Infrastructure (via subsidiary Kima Systems): Subsidiary Kima Systems generates revenue from hardware infrastructure including KBO stadium intercom systems, IDC storage solutions, and broadcast equipment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GIANTSTEP is a creative tech studio that produces high-end visual content for enterprise clients, including VFX for film, OTT, and advertising; motion graphics; cinematic and game trailers; AI-powered virtual humans; real-time XR and immersive installations; and virtual production services through its proprietary A.I-One Studio (LED wall + chroma key). Beyond project-based services, the company develops proprietary technology products (FacialX facial capture, ImageFlow AI, PROJECT VINCENT digital human, KAMPERS life simulation game) and operates IP-based content including the King of Kings 3D animation franchise and immersive exhibitions.

Product overview

GIANTSTEP is a content solution company established in 2008, operating as a creative tech company that bridges technology and creativity across visual content production. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of services organized into eight core divisions: Live Action (VFX post-production for advertisements), Design (motion graphics), Cinematic (film/animation VFX), VFX (film/OTT visual effects), New Media (AR/VR/hologram installations), Real-Time Content (immersive experiences using real-time engines), Virtual Studio (LED wall-based A.I-One Studio production facilities), and Virtual Human (AI-powered interactive digital characters). Key proprietary products include FacialX (AI facial expression capture system), ImageFlow AI (generative AI for artwork), PROJECT VINCENT (photorealistic digital human), and KAMPERS (Unreal Engine 5-based life simulation game). The company also produces original IP-based content including The King of Kings 3D animation and operates the Namsan XR Studio for Seoul Metropolitan Government. The A.I-One Studio platform serves as the foundation for virtual production, featuring both chromakey (A.I-ONE 1) and LED wall (A.I-ONE 2) capabilities. Services span 2D, 3D, FX, motion graphics, real-time engines, AI, deep learning, AR, VR, XR, and 5G technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VFX Production Service Comprehensive visual effects services for films, OTT platforms, and advertising including pre-visualization, high-quality VFX, motion graphics, double-CG, digital matte painting, and Screen X visualization. Serves global streaming platforms, film studios, and brand clients.
• Live Action Post-Production Service Post-production visual effects service for advertisement production, including creative planning, technical proposal, VFX correction and synthesis, 3D CG integration, and high-level motion graphics with kinetic typography.
• Design and Motion Graphics Service Motion graphics and creative design services executed by professional designers, collaborating with designers, artists, and art directors from planning through final completion for brand and advertising clients.
• Cinematic Content Service High-quality VFX production for advertising, films, animation, and cinematic content with reliable production pipeline and global collaboration with international VFX vendors.
• New Media and Immersive Installation Service Specialized new media production including holographic video, VR experiences, media facade installations, and sensor-based installations with proprietary R&D capabilities for brand activations and cultural institutions.
• Real-Time Content Production Service Immersive content production using real-time engine technology enabling interactive experiences, sensor-connected dynamic content, VR/AR platform development, and integration with machine learning, big data, and cloud computing.
• A.I-One Virtual Studio Service Virtual production studio service using LED wall-based facilities (A.I-One 2) and chroma key (A.I-One 1) for commercials, movies, drama production, and real-time transmission, with patent-pending technology.
• Virtual Human Solution Service AI-based virtual human solution service using proprietary AI and real-time engine technology for bidirectional interactive real-time content, featuring photorealistic digital humans capable of real-time interaction with users in Metaverse environments.
• Namsan XR Studio Operations Service XR production studio operations service for Seoul Metropolitan Government, providing virtual production services for music videos, broadcasts, and cultural arts content using virtual production technology.
• Media Facade Production and Operation Service Large-scale media facade design, production, and operation service for landmark buildings and events, including content creation for outdoor LED installations and immersive outdoor experiences (e.g., Seoul Light Gwanghwamun Luminous Symphony).
• PROJECT VINCENT Digital Human Proprietary photorealistic digital human product built on Unreal Engine with real-time movement, emotional expression through facial animation, realistic hair and skin rendering, and AI-powered conversational capabilities for content applications.
• FacialX AI Facial Capture System Proprietary AI product providing high-quality facial expression capture by integrating diverse facial expressions, real and virtual persons, and camera angles for consistent facial animation generation; targets virtual human, animation, game, entertainment, film, and advertising applications.
• ImageFlow AI Generative AI Solution Proprietary generative AI solution for artwork creation combined with VFX technology, used for AI media art projects including collaboration with artists for personalized customer experiences.
• KAMPERS Life Simulation Game Life simulation game targeting global Z-Alpha digital native generation, built on Unreal Engine 5 with high-quality graphics, world building features, and virtual character generation capabilities; B2C launch targeting global users.
• King of Kings Exhibition: The Greatest Love Immersive media art exhibition product using 25m curved screen and interactive content based on the King of Kings IP, combining VFX, real-time engine technology, and AI character mirroring experiences; running Q4 2025 through Q2 2026 at Lotte Mall Gimpo Airport.

Quantifiable outcome

• 315,000+ visitors attracted to 2025 Osaka Expo Korea Pavilion media content
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Mofac Studios (모팩스튜디오)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025MOU signed for King of Kings IP-based content business expansion including experiential exhibitions, immersive media art, and character goods shops. GIANTSTEP invested in and co-produced the King of Kings 3D animation film.
• Pebblus (페블러스)supportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Collaborated on FacialX synthetic data technology - removed duplicate data from 2 million datasets to approximately 400,000 items while maintaining data quality and diversity for AI model training.
• HYBEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Produced BTS 'Arirang' album promotional content for MSG Sphere in Las Vegas during BTS Las Vegas tour. HYBE and Cheil Worldwide commissioned the content.
• Kima Systems (키마시스템즈)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIANTSTEP's subsidiary company specializing in hardware infrastructure. Handles KBO stadium wireless intercom systems (44 stadiums), IDC storage solutions, and broadcast infrastructure. Expanding into AI-era IDC market with high-performance storage systems.
• Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Namsan XR Studio under commission from Seoul Metropolitan Government. Provides virtual production services for Seoul-based cultural artists and content creators.
• MSG Sphere (Venue)coreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial vendor registered since 2024 for MSG Sphere content production. Capabilities include 'inside content' and 'anamorphic advertising content' for the dome-shaped media space.
• CGVsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual human 'SORI' collaborations for Avatar 2 promotions - media day events and promotional activations using AI-powered virtual human technology.
• SiloLabsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIANTSTEP subsidiary developing ImageFlow AI generative AI solution. Collaborated on 'the course of LOVE' AI media art series for NOR restaurant.
• KBO (Korea Baseball Organization)coreOthersKima Systems built wireless intercom systems for KBO's video review system across all 9 baseball stadiums in Korea, improving game operations efficiency.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Framestore: Global VFX, immersive content, and virtual production studio with experience in film, advertising, and location-based entertainment — directly overlaps Giantstep's VFX + immersive exhibition business.
• DNEG: Global VFX and virtual production powerhouse serving Hollywood and streaming clients with film-grade VFX, similar to Giantstep's Netflix/OtT VFX work.
• Pixomondo: Specialist in LED-wall virtual production (StageCraft-style volumes) and VFX for film/TV, closely mirroring Giantstep's A.I-One Studio virtual production offering.
• Dexter Studios: Korean VFX and post-production studio of similar scale, providing film/drama VFX and virtual production for Korean and global clients. Most direct comparable in the Korean VFX landscape.
• Mofac Studios: Korean animation studio and co-production/IP partner on 'King of Kings'. Comparable in animation + IP development capabilities and a direct strategic ally rather than pure competitor.

Emerging players

• Mokko Studio: Korean virtual production and XR studio with overlap in real-time engine, virtual studio, and immersive content — a regional emerging player competing for similar Korean entertainment and brand clients.

Regional players

• Rising Sun Pictures: Mid-sized VFX studio serving Hollywood and streaming clients out of Australia. Similar in scale and service offering to Giantstep, competing in adjacent time zones on premium VFX work.

Broad incumbents

• Weta FX: Premium global VFX and virtual production studio (Avatar, Lord of the Rings), competing for the same high-end film/streaming VFX pipeline work that Giantstep targets.
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM): Lucasfilm-owned global VFX and virtual production leader operating across film, episodic, and immersive experiences. A larger incumbent against whom Giantstep competes on premium film VFX bids.
• Digital Domain: Global VFX and digital human studio with extensive credits in film VFX and virtual human production, comparable to Giantstep's VFX + virtual human (PROJECT VINCENT) offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCb4M2urANsFFJMhAjZpMb-g
• Facebookfacebook.com/giantstepstudios
• Xx.com/GIANTSTEPstudio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Giantstep