Metaverse Mania: A Fleeting Trend
The Concept of the Metaverse The term "metaverse," which first appeared in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel Snow Crash , refers to a "digital universe (Universe) that transcends reality (Meta)." It is a utopia where anyone can become a hero or a billionaire simply by wearing goggles. This science-fiction concept gained attention due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As non-face-to-face interactions became the norm, money poured into the metaverse worldwide. Microsoft acquired the game company Blizzard for 80 trillion Korean won, and Disney established a "metaverse business division," announcing plans to move its theme parks into the virtual realm. It seemed like the age of a "digital Columbus" had begun. The Metaverse Frenzy The metaverse craze was akin to a frenzy. Investments worth tens of trillions of won flowed in simply because companies claimed to be in the metaverse business, even without viable revenue models, and stock prices soared tens of time...