Korean Artist BDKim Launches APEC NFT Collection with On-Chain Digital Artworks

Korean artist BDKim (Kim Dae-Yong) has announced a special project celebrating world peace and APEC 2025 through his official website https://www.Daum.ai. The project marks his return to artistic activities following the suspension of work during South Korea's period of martial law that began on December 3, 2024. As political stability returned to the country, Kim resumed his creative endeavors and launched the nationwide art tour project 'BDKim – Art on the Move.'

The centerpiece of this initiative involves a 1.2-ton wing-body truck that has been transformed into a mobile gallery, which has been touring South Korea since October 3. This mobile exhibition will culminate in Gyeongju, where leaders of the 21 APEC member economies will gather for their 2025 meeting. At the Mojeon Stone Brick Pagoda at Bunhwangsa Temple in Gyeongju, Kim will unveil two 2.5-meter original canvases alongside the truck installation and dozens of video and NFT artworks.

The NFT video artworks, titled 'Dancing Flags of Peace,' reinterpret the national flags of APEC member economies and are dedicated to their leaders and citizens. Each piece represents a five-second video composition that expresses the harmony of Yin and Yang energies. A significant technological aspect of these NFTs is that they do not rely on external URL links for their preservation. Instead, the digital assets are directly uploaded and permanently preserved on-chain through a third-generation Proof-of-Work blockchain node.

This fully decentralized blockchain technology, known as SASEUL PoW Chain, was independently developed over seven years by Artifriends Co., Ltd. under CEO Jeongwoo Lee. The technology has gained recognition for its integrity through its listing on the BitMart exchange and is currently preparing for a hard fork. The approach aligns with principles highlighted by Elon Musk during his 2023 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he emphasized that NFTs depending on off-chain URLs are inherently vulnerable and that digital artworks must be encoded directly onto the blockchain.

Kim noted that his entire collection is stored securely and immutably on-chain, with plans to present the works as gifts to APEC nations and share them publicly through social media platforms. In addition to the NFT dedication works, three supplementary video versions in 6-second, 30-second, and 2-minute formats have already been delivered to the embassies of all 21 member economies. These deliveries were accompanied by official invitations to national leaders and relevant officials.

The artist explains that 'Beyond the Whole World' and 'Dancing Flags of Peace' embody the energy of peace and represent the origins of primordial art for what he describes as the future spiritual era. He views these works as a cultural legacy intended for generations to come. Looking ahead, Kim plans to present the complete five-piece set of 'Beyond the Whole World' at Mt. Baekdu in North Korea, collaborating with artists from across the world for a peace-themed international exhibition.

This forthcoming exhibition has already drawn attention within the global art community, with North Korea-related media outlets previously reporting on Kim's intentions for the Mount Baekdu presentation. As the contemporary art world faces challenges with stagnation, the art community is watching to see whether BDKim's artistic vision will illuminate new pathways forward, with growing international attention focused on his next creative movements.