For Noah Kim, the metaverse was never just about technology – it was always about imagination. Long before the concept entered mainstream culture, Kim was already drawn to the idea of world-building: creating environments from scratch, shaping spaces where narrative, design and identity could coexist. What began as a childhood fascination has evolved into a career at the forefront of digital innovation, where Kim now works as a director, 3D generalist and co-founder of NewKino and Luna Market.

Kim’s work sits at the intersection of storytelling and technology. With a background in directing narrative films and commercials, he brings a cinematic lens to everything he creates. This foundation distinguishes his approach to the metaverse – not merely as a technical frontier, but also as a storytelling medium capable of delivering meaningful, immersive experiences.

To help promote his work, Kim participated in the session, Navigating AI for Arts and Creators – Perspectives from Artists and Start Ups, this past Wednesday, June 4 during SXSW London 2025 at the Truman Brewery Stage 1. This session brought together innovative voices from both the art world and the tech industry to discuss how AI is transforming artistic expression, workflow and entrepreneurship.

Following the session, Kim also generously took the time to talk about NewKino and Luna Market, as well as attending SXSW London, during an exclusive interview over Zoom. He shared more insights into the practical uses of AI in art-making, challenges faced by creators, and opportunities for collaboration between technologists and artists.

During the interview, Kim shared how NewKino, the studio he co-founded, began as a production company rooted in visual effects and 3D design. Its trajectory shifted dramatically in December 2020, when digital artist Beeple ignited widespread interest in NFTs among creators. Recognizing the significance of that moment, Kim and his team quickly adapted, producing NFTs for musicians and artists, and exploring how blockchain could redefine ownership in the digital age.

By mid-2021, NewKino made a strategic pivot toward brand collaborations – an evolution that led to one of its most groundbreaking projects. Partnering with Under Armour, NBA superstar Stephen Curry and creative agency Berlin Cameron, the team developed the Genesis Curry Flow, the first-ever wearable metaverse sneaker.

More than a novelty, the project marked a turning point in how digital assets could function. It demonstrated that virtual goods could move beyond static collectibles to become interactive, expressive extensions of identity within digital spaces.

Still, working at the edge of innovation comes with its share of recalibration. Early in his journey, Kim believed the metaverse would evolve far more rapidly than it has. In hindsight, that expectation feels optimistic.

Today, the creative director views the metaverse as an expansive, still-developing ecosystem that resembles the effort to understand the universe through a telescope: compelling, but incomplete. The experience reinforced a crucial lesson – vision must be matched with patience.

Mentorship has also played a key role in shaping Kim’s perspective. His collaboration with Ewen Cameron proved especially influential, offering both creative guidance and strategic insight. In a field defined by uncertainty, that kind of mentorship has been invaluable.

Kim’s philosophy on disruption reflects a nuanced understanding of innovation. While disruption is often celebrated, he sees it as a double-edged concept. At its best, it drives meaningful progress and opens new opportunities. At its worst, it creates noise without direction. For Kim, the difference lies in intent – true innovation should lead to clarity, growth and transformation, not chaos.

That mindset is grounded in a simple principle Kim has carried throughout his career: take risks and say yes. Many of his most defining opportunities have come from stepping into unfamiliar territory. In a rapidly evolving space like the metaverse, that willingness to embrace uncertainty has been essential.

Looking forward, Kim is focused on the convergence of gaming and the metaverse – two ecosystems that have long developed in parallel. By integrating NFTs into gaming environments, he aims to redefine how players interact with digital assets, transforming them into meaningful extensions of identity, ownership and experience.

Kim’s thinking has also been shaped by influential voices in the digital art world. An episode of the School of Motion Podcast featuring Beeple left a lasting impression, deepening his understanding of digital ownership – not just as a technical mechanism, but as a cultural shift.

At the core of Kim’s work is a broader mission: advocating for artists. In a world where digital content can be endlessly replicated, ensuring that creators retain ownership and receive proper credit is more important than ever. For the filmmaker, this isn’t just an industry challenge – it’s a cultural imperative. Empowering artists through ownership has the potential to reshape how creativity is valued across industries.

As the metaverse continues to evolve, Kim represents a new generation of creators who are not only shaping technology, but redefining how people experience art, identity, and connection. His work reflects both the uncertainty of an emerging frontier and the limitless potential it holds. In a space still being written, Kim isn’t just imagining new worlds, he’s helping bring them to life.