Korea's Must-Visit ARTE MUSEUM Comes to Kaohsiung for a Five-Sense Immersive Experience

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KaohsiungARTE MUSEUMMitsui Fudosan

One of Kaohsiung's most anticipated new attractions is Mitsui Fudosan's "Kaohsiung LaLaport." The large-scale mall is not only bringing in 270 brands but also partnering with Korean digital media art pioneer d'strict to introduce the world-renowned immersive venue "ARTE MUSEUM" to the city. CEO Lee Sung-ho revealed that the venue will incorporate Taiwanese elements and launch a Kaohsiung-exclusive "city scent" for a fresh five-sense experience.

Arts support and a custom-built venue make Kaohsiung the right home

ARTE MUSEUM opened its first venue on Jeju Island in 2020 and now has branches in New York, Dubai, Yeosu, Gangneung and Busan. The Busan branch, opened in 2024, is currently the world's largest ARTE MUSEUM and has become a new landmark for Taiwanese travellers visiting the city.

Lee observed that Kaohsiung's urban landscape has changed dramatically in recent years and that the city strongly supports culture and technology — from the Pier-2 Art Center to exchanges with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency — which aligns well with d'strict's expertise. As one of Taiwan's three largest cities, Kaohsiung's steady foot traffic was also a key factor in the site selection.

The partnership with Mitsui Fudosan marks the first time d'strict has been involved in the design from the architectural planning stage. Immersive experiences demand a strong sense of enclosure, requiring very high ceilings and column-free spaces, while overseas expansion also means adapting to each country's regulations and environment — the biggest challenge in choosing a site.

Lee cited New York as an example: in 2021, seven locations were surveyed without success before the venue finally opened in 2024. By co-planning from the very beginning in Kaohsiung, the team can customise everything from scratch, solving these pain points while allowing light and shadow to flow freely through the space.

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A five-sense, locally-inspired experience with a Kaohsiung city scent

The combination of five-sense immersion and local culture is a signature of ARTE MUSEUM, with "scent" playing a key role in shaping atmosphere and leaving a lasting impression. Lee explained that past exhibitions featured custom scents, but in recent years the team has worked with fragrance masters in Grasse, France, to create "city scents" for each venue's host city — and Taiwan visitors can look forward to an exclusive Kaohsiung scent.

Beyond stimulating the senses through aroma, music, light, touch and taste, each ARTE MUSEUM incorporates local elements. Lee revealed that the Kaohsiung venue will feature designs inspired by Taiwan's culture, art and natural beauty, paired with bespoke music, allowing visitors to rediscover Taiwan's charm in a digital world.

How AI is reshaping digital media art: from efficiency to personalisation

On the AI wave, Lee believes it has brought real productivity gains to digital media art. "Content that used to take three to four months to produce can now be completed in just one month, allowing faster updates to adapt to local markets."

He added that AI can also elevate the experience to a personalised, age-tailored level. "Current digital exhibitions are one-way, but with AI, the system could detect a visitor's age and automatically adjust the visuals, sound frequencies and scents for a more tailored experience."

Lee also emphasised that d'strict's works have always prioritised clarity and intuitiveness. While AI is a powerful tool, the real core competency lies in using technology to tell a story that resonates instantly with audiences.

【Ticket】Kaohsiung Fun Pass

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A new mall drawing crowds, plus nearby attractions

Kaohsiung LaLaport will be located in Fengshan District and will be Taiwan's third LaLaport, expected to open this year. The mall will host 270 stores, including international fashion brands, Japanese queue-worthy food, well-known dining and lifestyle brands, large entertainment facilities, and products tailored to local consumer preferences.

Once open, the mall will offer locals a fresh shopping destination while letting travellers pair their visit with nearby attractions. The National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) is southern Taiwan's first international-grade performing arts venue, with a wave-like white exterior resembling a spaceship. Combining arts events, dining, coffee and bookstores, it has become an iconic cultural landmark of Kaohsiung.

The "Weiwu Mizi Village" is Taiwan's first large-scale mural art community, where artists from around the world have painted large wall murals, weaving art into everyday life and creating a distinctive neighbourhood landscape.