SK Group is using artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate the management philosophy and entrepreneurial spirit of its founding generation, sharing their legacy with employees across the organization.
The initiative centers on a five-minute AI-generated video based on the words and business experiences of the group’s founders, Chey Jong-gun and Chey Jong-hyun. The project was designed to reinforce the values of boldness and challenge in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
The video has been displayed since April 13 on a media wall at SK Seorin Building in Jongno, Seoul, and is also being broadcast internally to ensure all employees can access the content.
It begins with the reconstruction of Sunkyong Textile in the aftermath of the Korean War in 1953 and traces the company’s growth into a global conglomerate. In the video, founder Chey Jong-gun reflects on early challenges, including entering the nylon business and acquiring the Walkerhill Hotel, emphasizing a belief that “anything is possible with determination.”
His successor, Chey Jong-hyun, highlights the importance of long-term vision, noting that entrepreneurs must look ahead at least a decade. The video outlines his strategy of vertical integration spanning petroleum and textiles, as well as the group’s entry into telecommunications. It also features the pivotal 1994 acquisition of Korea Mobile Telecommunications, which laid the foundation for today’s SK Telecom and SK hynix.
Toward the end of the video, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won delivers a message encouraging employees to build a new era of growth based on the founding generation’s legacy.
The project was initiated by Chairman Chey, who proposed using AI technology to vividly convey the founders’ philosophy. While previous recreations relied on computer graphics or actors, this marks the group’s first production created entirely through AI.
The video was developed using extensive historical resources, including corporate archives, publications, and voice recordings. Notably, thousands of data points—such as digitally restored audio archives known as “Sunkyong Chronicles”—were used to train AI systems that constructed the narrative and visuals.
The content was also showcased during the group’s 73rd anniversary event held on April 8. After viewing the video, Chairman Chey expressed positive feedback on the level of AI sophistication and optimism about its future potential.
An SK Group official stated that the company’s growth story—from its founding to expansion into petroleum, telecommunications, and semiconductors—is now entering a new phase connected with AI technology. The official added that the founders’ spirit of boldness and intellect will continue to serve as a guiding compass for the group’s future.
