Cling AI, a Chinese video generation artificial intelligence platform, is expanding its efforts to discover the next generation of video creators and enhance industry collaboration from its base in South Korea. The company aims to build an AI video creation ecosystem that connects young creators with the broadcasting and film production sectors through university competitions and a global 4K video contest.
At the 'NextGen Campus, 4K Visions: Cling AI NextGen Awards Ceremony' held on July 7 at the Seoul Film Center, CEO Zeng Yuxuan stated, "Presenting the results of the competitions here today signifies that Cling AI's global ecosystem for emerging creators has officially entered a new stage of development. We will go beyond just supporting competitions to incubate outstanding creators in the long term and further complete the global youth creator system."
Zeng emphasized the role of AI video technology, saying, "Technology should not remain as cold code but should serve as a medium that helps creative ideas come to life. We must lower the technical barriers of traditional video production so that all free and imaginative ideas can be transformed into professional videos."
Cling AI is an AI video generation platform under China's short-form platform Kuaishou. Since its launch in June 2024, it has rapidly expanded its global creator base. In April, the company introduced a native 4K mode in its 'Cling Video 3.0' series, allowing direct output of 4K quality during the creation process. This advancement has enabled Cling AI to broaden the application of AI video production into industries such as broadcasting, film, and advertising.
The awards ceremony was organized to share the results of three competitions: the 'NextGen 2026 Korea University Creative Challenge,' the 'Campus AIGC Creation Contest' for Chinese university students, and the '4K Short Film Creative Contest' for global creators. According to the company, approximately 9,000 creators from major universities in Korea and China participated in the three competitions, with over 12,700 works submitted. After a review process, 31 outstanding works were selected.
The Korean competition was conducted by Cling AI in collaboration with the Korean Media Policy Association and MBC C&I, targeting major universities such as Korea University, Konkuk University, and Chung-Ang University. A total of 4,215 applicants submitted 1,084 works from 60 universities. During the competition period, workshops on generative AI video production were also held at universities including Hongik University, Dong Seoul University, Korea University, Chung-Ang University, and Inha University.
Reflecting on the submitted works, Zeng expressed, "I was deeply impressed by the clear creativity and solid production quality of the young creators. The works contained not only cinematic-level visual aesthetics but also deep observations and reflections on the real world, infused with human warmth."
He added, "The younger generation has shown not only the ability to handle advanced technology but also a sincere desire to express social concerns through video and respond to the questions posed by the times. This proves that AI can take root in a reality filled with human warmth."
Looking ahead, Zeng stated that Cling AI aims to pursue higher industrial standards for video production beyond 4K, saying, "We will continue to support creators worldwide to produce textured, warm, and powerful video works based on efficient, free, and professional creative capabilities."
Cling AI is also expanding its connections in the Korean market. According to the company's introduction materials, Cling AI is collaborating with Studio Metak, MBC C&I's Mateo AI Studio, in the field of AI video content. The platform has been utilized in dramas such as 'My Precious Star,' the variety show 'Single's Inferno 7 Australia Edition,' and KBS's historical documentary 'History Special.'
The event was attended by Zeng, along with Hwang Seon-sook, Director of MBC C&I, filmmaker Min Kyoo-dong, Cine21 editor Song Kyung-won, Inha University professor Ha Joo-yong, Dong Seoul University professor Lee Seung-hyun, and Korea University professor Lee Heon-yul, among others from the Korean film and academic community. From the Chinese side, Professor Chen Yi, Professor Chong Fangjun, and Cling AI super creator Han Qing were also present.
Hwang Seon-sook remarked, "AI is a powerful tool, but it is the creator's emotion and imagination that complete it as art. The fact that creators from Korea and China expressed their own worlds through the same technology demonstrates the potential of creation in the AI era."
Filmmaker Min Kyoo-dong noted, "In my 30 years of making films, while the camera and editing methods have continually changed, the human eye's perspective on the world has not. AI is not a threat to replace art but a new tool to carry it further."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.