VR Experience reunites mother with deceased daughter

A virtual reality project from Korea is currently making headlines around the world: The TV show "Meeting You" enabled a mother to meet her daughter, who died in 2016 - at least virtually. Naturally, this project raises a whole host of ethical questions.

"Where have you been, Mum? Do you often think about me?" asks the virtual Nayeon. "All the time," replies her mum, Jang, in tears. The seven-year-old died of a rare disease back in 2016. Since then, Jang Ji-sung has been mourning her child. In the TV show, she has the opportunity to play and talk to her daughter one last time in a quiet and peaceful place.

She keeps reaching out her hand to touch her daughter. Thanks to touch-sensitive sensor gloves, she is even able to hold Nayeon's hand. "My sweetie, I've missed you so much," says Jang as she strokes her daughter's digital copy.

A real-time conversation

According to "Aju Business Daily", the production team used a child model to make Nayeon's movements look as realistic as possible using motion capture technology. The virtual girl was also programmed to respond to Jang's words in real time - and speak in Nayeon's voice. The audience in the studio, including the couple's husband and three other children, witnessed tearful, heart-wrenching moments.

In a blog, Jang, who wears a necklace with her daughter's ashes around her neck, explained that by taking part in the TV show, she wanted to help other people who have also lost a loved one. "Three years later, I now think I should love her more and miss her less. I hope many people will remember Nayeon after the show," she wrote.

Reactions to the TV format were mixed. Some commentators on Twitter and YouTube thought the idea of digitally resurrecting a deceased person was tasteless and creepy. Others expressed their sympathy for Jang. However, one user commented that it was not clear whether the experience would help the healing process or only exacerbate the trauma.

Read about other projects in which the deceased have been brought back to life - at least virtually.

Source: ntv /rnd