VIDEO: Mother ‘Reunites’ With Daughter Who Died 4 Years Ago

Technology has made it possible for a mother and her daughter who died four years to reunite in South Korea.

Jang Ji-sung reunited with her 7-year-old daughter, Na-yeon, who died of leukaemia in 2016.

Ji-sung’s reunion with her daughter was made possible via advanced Virtual Reality (VR).

Oxford defines VR as “the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.”

The technology creates simulated experience that is similar to the real-world experience.

Ji-sung’s reunion with Na-yeon which was filmed and aired as a documentary on South Korea’s MBC, sparked criticisms of voyeurism and exploitation against the creators.

The creators had modelled Na-yeon in a digital avatar using photos and memories from her mother.

Her mother was made to put on the VR headset to have conversations with her computer-generated daughter.

In the footage, Na-yeon appeared as if she was playing hide-and-seek with her mother.

“Mum, where have you been?” she asks. “I’ve missed you a lot. Have you missed me?”

Tearful Jang Ji-sung reached out towards her daughter, saying: “I have missed you Na-yeon.”

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But in the real world, Ji-sung was only standing in front of a studio screen, wearing a virtual reality headset and touch-sensitive gloves which made it possible for her to feel her daughter.

Creators of the documentary titled “Meeting You” said it took them eight months to create it.

They claimed that the documentary was intended to “console the family”.

The director, Lee Hyun-suk, said: “People would often think that technology is something that’s cold. We decided to participate to see if technology can comfort and warm your heart when it is used for people.”

Na-yeon’s mother said of the documentary: “It’s heartbreaking that her time has stopped at the age of 7,” adding that “But I was so happy to see her that way.”