LG Smart TVs Take Learning to the Next Level With MasterClass

A woman watching a gardening lesson from the MasterClass app on her wall-mounted LG Smart TV as she tends to her plants

Millions of LG Customers Can Now Connect With and Learn
From The World’s Best in the Comfort of their Home via webOS

SEOUL, March 28, 2023 — This month, LG Smart TV owners worldwide gain access to MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world’s best across a wide range of subjects, allowing customers to access the platform directly on the big screen at home. Available in LG’s Content Store on LG Smart TVs running webOS 4.0 (2018 TVs) up to the newly launched 2023 TVs, the MasterClass app can be easily accessed by voice command and is featured on Life’s Good Hub.

MasterClass subscribers will be able to get inspired by more than 180 instructors and classes across various categories, such as Arts & Entertainment, Business, Design & Style, Sports & Gaming and Writing, which means there is a class for almost every need and interest. Viewers can step into food truck “godfather” Roy Choi’s kitchen, design their career with Teen Vogue’s former editor in chief and multimedia icon Elaine Welteroth, discover their inner negotiator with former lead FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss, learn leadership from former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi and relational intelligence from renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel and much more of the world’s best, offering inspiring knowledge and stories for everyone.

New and existing MasterClass subscribers can learn and discover at a pace that best serves their lifestyle – in bite-size pieces or in a single binge, with each class featuring about 20 video lessons at an average of 10 minutes per lesson. Cinematic visuals and close-up demonstrations make viewers feel like they’re one-on-one with the instructors. For those looking to learn by doing, Sessions by MasterClass offers a structured curriculum where members can roll up their sleeves, get hands-on and learn meaningful skills through step-by-step guidance from world-class instructors and an active community of peers.

By introducing MasterClass to its Smart TVs, LG is demonstrating its commitment to offering more versatile home entertainment experiences that appeal to consumers’ unique preferences, needs and interests, with new educational services to be launched later this year.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, LG OLED TVs have pioneered and continue to lead the premium TV market, earning many accolades from journalists and industry experts. LG OLED TVs are synonymous with superb picture quality, vibrant, accurate colors and deep blacks for images that are remarkably lifelike. As such, LG OLED TVs have become the preferred TV for many creators and studios. The company is committed to exploring the broad possibilities presented by its self-lit technology as it starts a new decade of OLED leadership and innovation.

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LG Honored With GM’s ‘Supplier of the Year’ Award

The trophy of General Motors' Supplier of the Year Award

Recognized for LG’s Outstanding Contributions as a
Top Supplier in 2022 for Infotainment and Telematics Category

SEOUL, March 27, 2023 — LG Electronics (LG) has been recognized by General Motors (GM) as an excellent supplier for its achievements in the areas of infotainment and telematics at GM’s 31st Annual Supplier of the Year Award. This year’s ceremony, which took place this week in Texas, USA, centered on the theme of ‘Momentum’.

For nearly two decades, LG and GM have been teaming up to bring new innovations to the automotive industry. GM selected LG’s telematics control module for its OnStar service in 2006, and in 2016, based on an electric vehicle project carried out in partnership with LG. LG also provided the world’s first digital cockpit with P-OLED automotive displays for the groundbreaking 2021 New Cadillac Escalade, helping to raise the advanced in-vehicle experience and human-machine interface (HMI) design to new heights.

During the recent pandemic, LG continued to furnish GM with high-quality auto parts without any interruption, despite the difficulties caused by the ongoing global semiconductor shortage. Last year, LG also received the Supply Chain Guarantee Award from SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM), the joint venture between GM and China’s largest automaker, SAIC Motor. Since 2014, GM has named LG a trustworthy supplier six times.

Through an extensive research and development program, and based on digitalization and the use of its advanced core technologies, LG is focusing on delivering new in-car experiences and greater value to its automaker partners. As part of this, LG is creating an innovative HMI for software-defined vehicles (SDV) that will integrate various vehicle components, collecting and analyzing real-time environmental data. The information displayed through the new HMI will support drivers to make better on-road decisions and help enhance the comfort and safety of all driving occupants.

“We are thrilled to recognize these outstanding suppliers after yet another challenging year in the automotive industry,” said Jeff Morrison, GM vice president of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “They overcame countless obstacles and exemplified what it means to be resilient, resourceful and determined. Beyond that, these suppliers demonstrated their commitment to sustainable innovation and to driving advanced solutions in collaboration with the GM team.”

“As our steady and solid partnership with GM suggests, LG has become a trusted and respected innovative partner to leading players in the automotive industry,” said Eun Seok-hyun, president of LG Vehicle component Solutions (VS) Company. “Moving forward, LG will continue to collaborate, create and contribute to the realization of the future mobility era.”

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A Water-Wise Home With LG: How Innovations Can Save and Protect Water

A human hand holding a ball shaped liked Earth with a faucet

Water is fundamental to our very existence – as central to our health as it is to the health of our planet and every other living thing on it. As such, the contamination of our oceans and water supply by microplastics, chemicals and other pollutants is a serious problem that must be confronted. So too is the need for individuals and society as a whole to change their water usage habits. Rising global awareness of these matters has led to increased demand for innovative solutions that can save and protect water, both at home and in nature.

Home is where people typically consume the most water, using it for all sorts of purposes – from showering to washing the dishes – every single day. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family consumes approximately 300 gallons of water at home per day, with the household washing machine accounting for a huge chunk of that. The average washer not only uses around 14 to 20 gallons of water per cycle,¹ but also causes microplastics to separate from synthetic fabrics.

Washing dishes by hand is another major culprit when it comes to water use, consuming up to 27 gallons² each time, which is far more than a dishwasher uses to clean a load. Handwashing dishes is not very economical where detergent is concerned either.

Between our appliances and activities at home, it is all too easy to end up using large amounts of water each and every day. With World Water Day (March 22) having just passed, now is a good time to consider the importance of water as well as think of some actions we can take at home to help save and protect it.

A company that has proven its commitment to sustainability time and again, LG provides a range of home appliances that can help people safeguard and conserve the life-giving resource that is water. Two excellent examples are the QuadWash™ dishwasher with TrueSteam™ and a ‘microplastic care’ course for LG ThinQ UP washers.

LG Dishwasher: Efficiently Clean Dishes While Conserving Water

In addition to relieving us of the burden of having to wash dishes by hand, dishwashers can help us save water at home.

LG’s QuadWash dishwasher is extremely efficient with water and extremely effective at getting dishes clean. Thanks to the company’s exclusive TrueSteam technology, the dishwasher leaves plates, glasses and utensils sparkling clean and with fewer water spots.³ It also employs LG’s QuadWash technology, which uses four Multi-Motion spray arms that rotate back and forth, to separate stains and oil from dishes.

While minimizing water intake, LG’s dishwasher maximizes user convenience with the EasyRack™ Plus system. Each rack can be quickly and easily adjusted to accommodate any kind of dishware. What’s more, users can remotely monitor and control the sophisticated dishwasher via the LG ThinQ™ app.

Generating Fewer Microplastics With the Microplastic Care Course

Our clothes need to be washed to keep them looking and smelling their best. However, each time we wash clothes made from synthetic fabrics, they shed minute microplastic fibers into the water. This water then leaves our washers and is discharged into the sea or treated and returned to the water supply. Almost 35 percent⁴ of the microplastics found in the world’s oceans today, come from the washing of synthetic textiles. To help prevent the creation of microplastics from washing laundry at home, LG is introducing its advanced microplastic care course.⁵

The microplastic care course uses LG’s 6 Motion (Tumble, Swing, Rolling, Stepping, Scrubbing and Filtration) technology to decrease friction on fabrics, helping to prevent microplastics from forming and also minimizing energy usage.⁶ ThinQ UP washer users can download the new course from the ThinQ app Upgrade Center.

Water is the Earth’s most precious natural resource, and for a better future for all, we must take action to save and protect it now. With its advanced dishwasher and innovative laundry features, LG is helping people do their part to conserve water and keep microplastics out of our oceans.

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¹ www.energystar.gov/products/clothes_washers
² Washing dishes by hand can use up to 27 gallons of water per load. www.nrdc.org/stories/9-tricks-save-tons-water#:~:text=It%20may%20feel%20more%20virtuous,dish%20before%20you%20load%20it
³ Tested by LG internal lab according to LG internal test methods, cleaning a clear glass on Normal Cycle in LG non-Steam model (DFB415) and LG Steam model (DFB325).
⁴According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), almost 35 percent of microplastics in the oceans come from laundry. portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2017-002-En.pdf
⁵ Availability of the features may vary depending on product model or region.
⁶ Tested by Intertek. Washing 3kg load (comprising a training jacket made of 100 percent polyester) on microplastic care course. Microplastics of over 20㎛ (micrometers) generated during washing were reduced by 70 percent compared to washing the same load using standard washing course. Microplastic care course also reduces water temperature by 75 percent compared to the standard course, lowering energy consumption by 30 percent.

[On the Job] LG SIGNATURE: A Legacy of Customer-Centric Design

View of LG SIGNATURE InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator through a door frame.

In this installment of On the Job, we look into the design history of LG SIGNATURE to learn how LG’s luxury brand provides unparalleled customer experiences.

What role does design play in shaping the home appliance user experience? Let us consider the thoughtful innovation that enables users to knock twice on their LG InstaView™ refrigerator to see inside without even having to open the door – or the smart screen applied to LG’s latest washers which streamlines control by replacing the more traditional dials and switches with an intuitive touch-based interface.

(From left to right) Chung Sangin, Kim Jayoen, Hwang Inyoung and Bae Mimi at Home Appliance & Air Solution
LG SIGNATURE UX Design Team

In both of these cases, LG has cleverly evolved key elements of what is called ‘user experience design’ to boost usability and create new convenience that expands and improves the overall customer experience. Armed with a deep understanding of users and their everyday needs, user experience designers at the LG SIGNATURE UX Design Team have played a pivotal role in shaping the unparalleled quality and easy-to-use features that the brand is synonymous with.

Reimagining the Customer Experience

Experience design is not, however, limited to matters of function and user-device interaction. “Taking a look at the term experience from a wider view, we find that experience design actually encompasses aspects of branding – referred to as brand experience – as well as the impact products have on the user’s living environment and day-to-day lifestyle – referred to as customer experience,” explained Kim Jayoen, design professional at LG SIGNATURE UX Design Team.

Designed for those seeking a more luxurious way of living, LG SIGNATURE products bring together the best of aesthetic and functional design to add a touch of sophistication to all areas of the customer experience. The seamless marriage of form and function, LG SIGNATURE’s premium appliances boast a timeless quality that transcends any particular interior decorating trend or style and has struck a chord with discerning consumers worldwide.

Consistent Design Makes a Timeless Brand

The ability to produce a single, coherent aesthetic or design language is crucial when building a consistent, recognizable brand image – and to fostering a lasting brand legacy. “Through design, we’re letting the brand speak to our customers,” said Hwang Inyoung, design professional at LG SIGNATURE UX Design Team. “Part of our job is making it easier for consumers to recognize the unique brand philosophy governing our products, by adhering to a specific visual tone and manner across all appliances.”

From its inception in 2016, LG SIGNATURE has cultivated a product aesthetic that consistently delivers, and clearly conveys, a focus on providing customers with ultra-premium experiences. These experiences are then fully realized by the uniting of elements that are just as integral to the brand’s identity as its distinctive style – namely, impressive performance, user-centric features and high-quality materials.

The first-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup

In 2014, the LG SIGNATURE design committee was formed with the aim of fostering design-centric innovation. Introducing a “design-first, develop-second” product approach which was groundbreaking at the time, the first-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup was revealed to the world at CES 2016. LG’s exclusive brand has remained true to its heritage and is still considered a trailblazer in the luxury home appliance market.

The very essence of style and functionality, LG SIGNATURE’s first-generation products paired clean, sophisticated design with cutting-edge technologies. Completely devoid of knobs and buttons, the first-generation LG SIGNATURE Washer showcased the elegant, minimalist look that has continued to be a hallmark of the brand’s peerless appliances.

Evolving Features, Unchanging Philosophy

While LG SIGNATURE’s commitment to timeless design remains unchanged, its interpretation of next-level luxury – and accordingly, its product offerings – are continuously evolving. Unveiled at this year’s CES under the theme of ‘Live beyond.’, the second-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup presents a refined vision of luxury living, building on all that makes the brand so great and taking it a step further.

The new lineup is in keeping with the minimalism of the first generation, but adds chic new colors, materials and finishes to choose from. Users can look forward to enhanced technologies as well as upgraded design. The new LG SIGNATURE 4-Door French-Door refrigerator, for instance, features Dual InstaView™ for an even more streamlined and convenient customer experience.

The second-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup

Outstanding design outlasts the era in which it was conceived, influencing the way people gauge and appreciate beauty for generations. An iconic brand with a timeless aesthetic, LG SIGNATURE has redefined home appliance design and will never relent in its pursuit of customer-driven innovation. Stay tuned to Beyond News for more on the exclusive, next-level lifestyles curated by LG SIGNATURE.

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[On the Job] Creating the Sound of Life’s Good

In this installment of On the Job, we meet with UX sound designers from the Strategy UX Governance Team at LG Corporate Design Center’s UX Lab to learn how they use sound to enhance the usability and accessibility of LG products.

How do you know when a load of laundry is finished? Most likely, it’s because of a melody played by the washing machine – something simple but catchy that instantly tells you your clothes are ready to unload. But it’s not just washers. Most electrical devices, from laptops to TVs and refrigerators, employ tunes or sounds to provide helpful feedback that enhances the user experience.

As people have become so accustomed to their appliances and gadgets using sound to communicate all kinds of information, the importance of sound design where products are concerned is often overlooked. However, the process of developing these sounds is not as simple as the experts responsible make it appear. Each melody or alert sound must convey a clear message, be pleasant (or at least not irritating) to the ear and match with the product making it. At LG, this task falls to the highly skilled user experience (UX) sound designers from the UX Governance Team.

While their work also concentrates on verifying the results of previous research and the usability of user interface (UI) or UX across all LG products and services, developing UX sound is one of the team’s most important tasks.

Chung Soo-yon, senior sound designer at LG UX Governance Team

“We spend more than half of our working hour with headsets on since it’s our job to adjust and optimize UX sound, as well as to learn about the newest trends in the industry,” said Chung Soo-yon, senior sound designer at LG UX Governance Team.

Musical score sheets and synthesizers are also must-haves for the team’s UX sound designers, enabling them to easily record any melodies that come to mind and allowing other designers in the team to collaborate and refine each tune or sound.

Most home appliances emit sounds using buzzers rather than speakers, so UX sound designers have to ‘translate’ the melody they have created to work with a buzzer. This is when a note frequency chart comes in handy. The chart lists the twelve notes of the chromatic scale and their corresponding frequencies in hertz across different octaves. This helps the designers to find the standard frequency value of each note and convert their melody to a simple yet catchy tune.

Jeong Byoung-zoo, senior sound designer at LG UX Governance Team

“UX sound designers here possess the ability to recognize a product and the brand it belongs to just by hearing the sounds it makes,” said Jeong Byoung-zoo, senior sound designer at the UX Governance Team. “Even when watching a TV show or a movie, my ears are the first things to tell me when there’s an LG product in a scene.”

Among the many kinds of UX sound developed by the UX Governance Team, the sound that a device emits when powered on or off is considered one of the most important. Played more frequently than practically any other UX sound, not only does it notify the user when their device is switching on or shutting down, but it also represents the identity of both the product and brand. From the second half of 2021, LG has applied a set of standard sounds to its products to deliver a consistent brand image to its customers. This set of sounds could be described as the very own language of LG appliances and solutions.

By applying the appropriate tone to the UX sound it creates, LG UX Governance Team aims to help make products more convenient to use while also communicating a friendly brand image. The recently introduced LG ThinQ UP appliances consider the unique needs and tastes of each user, providing them with a variety of alert sounds and melodies to choose from. For example, users who have a light-sleeping baby in the house or just prefer something subtle can select alert sounds that are gentle and short in length. Conversely, users who like to make a statement (and don’t have little ones to worry about) can choose a lively melody that fits their personality or expresses a desired mood.

UX sound can enhance accessibility and usability, help forge a stronger sense of brand identity and foster brand affinity among customers. Deserving more recognition than they typically receive, the dedicated experts at LG UX Governance Team will continue to refine the sounds and tunes they lovingly – and painstakingly – design for the company’s wide range of premium appliances and living solutions.

To learn more about how teams across LG are working to build better user experiences, stay tuned to Beyond News for the next episode in the On the Job series.

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Helping ‘Swipe Out Hunger’ on College Campuses across the USA

A close-up photo of a billboard in Times Square, New York displaying a collaboration of LG with Swipe Out Hunger

Research shows that one in three U.S. college students experiences food insecurity with many students on- and off-campus relying upon their campus food pantries to provide much-needed resources throughout the school year.

To help provide healthy meals to more than 500,000 college students struggling with food insecurity, LG USA has joined forces with Swipe Out Hunger, the leading nonprofit addressing student hunger in the country. Together, the organizations are helping to raise awareness about student food insecurity and ensure that food pantries on campuses across the United States have refrigeration to store healthy foods.

Campus refrigerators provide access to nutritious foods that help students stay focused on their studies and maintain active lifestyles, according to Swipe Out Hunger’s Executive Director Jaime Hansen. The refrigerators have ‘grab and go’ meals, beverages and cooking staples, as well as access to fresh proteins and produce.

However, Swipe Out Hunger notes that 29 percent of its campus pantry partners do not have refrigeration, and a third of them cited lack of funding as the reason why there is no refrigeration on campus. To address this problem, LG provided 120 refrigerator-freezers to 60 campuses across the United States in Swipe Out Hunger’s network. In addition to providing refrigeration for food pantries, these Energy Star^® certified LG refrigerators help conserve energy, thus supporting the sustainability goals of many colleges and universities.

LG is also stocking these fridges with healthy and nutritious food for the campuses’ communities, as well as providing grants for additional 40 colleges and universities to upgrade their current campus refrigerators. In total, this alliance will serve meals to 500,000 college students across the nation.

“LG’s collaboration with Swipe Out Hunger will transform the nutrition and availability of food for students experiencing hunger today and in the future,” says Hansen. “Access to fresh, nutritious food options will help students achieve their higher education goals.”

“This will allow us to add perishable items to our food pantry, something that wasn’t included before,” said Charlyne Yue, M.S., Senior Associate Director of Student Affairs at Southwestern Law School, who shared her appreciation of the support from LG and Swipe Out Hunger. “Thanks to their generosity, our students experiencing food insecurity will be able to focus on studying rather than worrying about their next meal.”

In light of the post-pandemic demand for campus pantries across the country, LG is inviting others to help fight food insecurity on U.S. college campuses. In March, the company’s electronic billboard in Times Square, New York City included a call-to-action through a QR Code where people can join LG in supporting the good work of Swipe Out Hunger.

“Working with Swipe Out Hunger aligns with LG’s global ESG mission of a Better Life for All. Beyond providing refrigerators to campus food pantries for much-needed fresh food storage, LG is proud to support Swipe Out Hunger’s mission to end college student hunger,” said John Taylor, senior vice president of LG USA.

For those interested in supporting these efforts, please visit swipehunger.org/lg/.

Contributed by LG USA

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LG CEO Advocates Busan for World Expo 2030 in Latin America

LG CEO William Cho and Brazilian Senator Rodrigo Pacheco posing with the book of Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2030.

World Expos, which were born in 1851 in London with the Great Exhibition, are a global gathering of diverse nations designed to address pressing challenges of our time. Held every five years, this colossus event has become one of the most important global platforms effectively bridging governments, companies, international organizations and citizens.

In September 2022, South Korea’s port city of Busan officially submitted its formal bid to host World Expo under the theme, “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future.” We’ll find out which city has been elected to host later this year, after each bid received by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is analyzed and voted on by its 171 Member States.

In preparation for the BIE conducting a due diligence visit to Busan next month, CEO William Cho acted as a special envoy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea as he visited several Central and South American countries including Brazil and Chile. CEO Cho received considerable positive response from governments of both countries regarding support for Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2023.

(From left to right) LG CEO William Cho and Brazilian Senator Rodrigo Pacheco

Beginning his Latin American trip in Brazil on March 13, Mr. Cho met members of the National Congress of Brazil, including Senator Rodrigo Pacheco, to discuss the unique characteristics of beautiful Busan that make it the best candidate to host World Expo 2023. CEO Cho even invited about 70 key figures, including 15 Brazilian congressmen, to the Korean Embassy in Brazil to share the significance and willingness of South Korea to host World Expo 2023 in Busan.

“Busan is an eco-friendly smart city boasting some of the most innovative technologies to better mankind,” said CEO Cho.

The next day, CEO Cho continued his trip by visiting Chile, where he met with Undersecretary of International Economic Relations Claudi Sanhueaz and General Director of Bilateral Economic Affairs at the Chilean Undersecretariat of International Economic Affairs Sebastián Gómez, asking for their consideration and support of Busan’s bid.

During his talks with local leaders, CEO Cho spotlighted Korea’s status as a state-of-the-art powerhouse and Busan’s as a transportation and logistics hub for East Asia, as well as a city overflowing with rich culture, entertainment and global tourism infrastructure.

While touring key markets around the world, the CEO prioritizes meetings with local government officials to discuss ways to expand LG’s cooperation with local companies. This was no different during CEO Cho’s travels across Central and South America, where he visited local subsidiaries and major production sites to talk with local employees and review business operations and strategies.

Headquartered in South Korea, LG first expressed its strong commitment to supporting Busan’s bid by setting up a dedicated task force led by the CEO himself. Since then, the company has been actively engaged in numerous activities promoting Korea’s second city for World Expo 2030, home and abroad. But this isn’t CEO Cho’s first promotional campaign overseas, as he promoted the bid during trips to Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia last November.

The company has also screened promotional videos of Busan on various LG displays and billboards across the world. In Korea, these videos have been aired at international airports in Gimpo and Gimhae as well as the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas Hotel in bustling Gangnam. Elsewhere, this video series has graced LG’s world-famous outdoor displays in New York City’s Times Square and London’s Piccadilly Circus, among many others.

The company hopes its promotional efforts will help Busan’s World Expo 2030 bid be successful and will continue to leverage its vast global network of 140 subsidiaries to promote Korea’s popular coastal city as the ideal host of World Expo 2030.

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[LG SIGNATURE Inspirations] Your Next Travel Destination, Recommended by LG SIGNATURE

LG SIGNATURE InstaView refrigerators installed at a spacious and prestigious dining room

For the last few years, the pandemic has stopped us from visiting the amazing places and cultures this world has to offer. Thankfully, the era of staycations is coming to an end as travel continues to make a comeback. Last year, over 900 million tourists traveled abroad and this year, tourism is expected to reach 80 to 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels – according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

For those planning a trip overseas, LG SIGNATURE highly recommends two cities that reflect the brand’s embrace of art and tech while delivering unique value to visitors. By visiting these beautiful, distinct metropolises, LG SIGNATURE hopes people can rediscover the amazing possibilities of life so that they can look forward to the future.

Everlasting Inspiration: Rome

Among the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world, magnificent Rome and its splendid ancient treasures and historic heritage are beyond compare. Located in the middle of the Italian peninsula, Rome was affectionately called the ‘Eternal City’ by the Romans because, no matter what the future held for them, they believed that the city would always remain standing. In truth, there’s no better place to embark on a journey of cultural and historical exploration than the storied streets of Rome which hold a timeless beauty uniquely developed, exquisitely characterized and perpetually sustained.

Representing the impeccable harmony between meticulous craftsmanship and technological advancement, this glorious city never fails to inspire visitors from around the world with its influential architecture, iconic fine arts and historic legacy. Anyone lucky enough to step foot here will find themselves in a state of wonderment thanks to the expertly preserved ancient relics and masterpieces scattered across the city.

Taking a stroll in such a historic setting is as educational and eye-opening as touring some of the world’s greatest museums. There’s only one place to soak up thousands of years of history in the city that Julius Caesar, Spartacus and Augustus all once called home.

Photo credit: Deensel (Flickr)

Once a temple built to honor the Roman gods, the grandest Pantheon now stands as a beautiful Catholic church and a reminder of the remarkable architectural prowess of one of history’s most formidable empires, and how they were able to redefine the meaning of beauty through advanced Roman technology that was way ahead of its time. The use of high-quality concrete, flawless attention to detail and perfect proportionality has beautifully preserved the 2000-year-old Pantheon, the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Photo credit: David Lebech (Flickr)

Behind the marvelous beauty it symbolizes, Trevi Fountain, Rome’s most famous water feature, also embodies the innovative technology of ancient times which for 400 years helped bring the city clean water from a spring 13 miles away.

It is the ethos of art and technology that serves as the never-ending source of inspiration Rome possesses, and in a deep appreciation to the city’s embrace of such values, LG SIGNATURE has collaborated with world-renowned La Scala opera house in a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation and inspiration.

The City of Sprint and Spirit: New York City

Our second destination is undeniably the most invigorating city on the planet, bustling with people throughout the year. The modern center of the world’s economy and a symbol of prosperity and timeless aesthetics, New York City thrives with life and passion. The city that never sleeps continues to enchant and inspire millions of people through an incredible melting pot of human potential and possibility.

In New York City, one immediately encounters a world of endless movement, diversity and empowerment along with an array of iconic landmarks to admire, from the Statue of Liberty and the concrete jungle to the trove of museums, theaters and art galleries. Rich in cultural and ethnic diversity, the electric atmosphere of New York City will forever stimulate creativity and inspire innovation for people from all walks of life.

Photo credit: sama093 (Flickr)

Driven by the dynamics of art and technology, NYC’s Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see landmark emblematic of energetic movement. It also marks one of the biggest architectural accomplishments of the 19^th century, thanks to engineering breakthroughs that allowed it to span across the East River and connect Manhattan and Brooklyn. Since its construction 140 years ago, the colossus bridge has been captivating visitors with an unsurpassable spectacle of sweeping landscapes.

Photo credit: Thomas Hawk (Flickr)

The Empire State building is another extraordinary site, the 102-story-tall skyscraper that best encapsulates NYC’s reputation for pushing the boundaries by holding the record of the world’s tallest building from 1931 to 1970. At its observation deck, one can’t help but admire the city’s incomparable skyline.

Rome and New York all emphasize the harmony achieved as a result of embracing art and tech. With these destination recommendations, LG SIGNATURE hopes it can complete its mission of empowering inspiration, movement and harmony. Stay tuned to Beyond News to see how LG SIGNATURE continues to inspire people by marrying the best of aesthetics and craftsmanship.

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The Triumphant Return of ‘Life’s Good’ in the Middle East and Africa

The renowned Middle East and Africa (MEA) tech event, LG Showcase 2023, has finally returned to the region after a four-year hiatus.

The Triumphant Return of ‘Life’s Good’ in the Middle East and Africa

The renowned Middle East and Africa (MEA) tech event, LG Showcase 2023, has finally returned to the region after a four-year hiatus. The two-day event was held at Al Habtoor City in Dubai and successfully showcased every new LG product being launched in the region this year to an all-time-high crowd of over 400 visitors.

Home to a quarter of the world’s population, the MEA region boasts high potential to become a major market for premium electronic appliances. Last year, sales of LG products in the region more than doubled, with exceptional growth in commercial displays as well as residential and commercial HVAC systems. To meet this trend, B2B products were also on display at this year’s showcase, and the company aims to continue this growth trend with the goal of satisfying more customers and presenting customized customer experiences.

Not only did LG Showcase 2023 introduce the company’s wide-ranging products, from the revolutionary wireless TV to the second-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup, but it also gave attendees a hands-on experience of what the future holds with LG’s restless efforts to provide its customers with smart life solutions showing what the company means with ‘Life’s Good’. There really was something for everyone, with all four distinct zones of the LG Showcase 2023 offering visitors F.U.N. – first, unique and new – customer experiences.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LG OLED this year, the OLED TECH zone presented the lineup’s diverse sizes and features. As a pioneer of the premium TV market and winner of many prestigious accolades from journalists and industry experts, the LG OLED TV lineup provides superb picture quality, vibrant colors and deep blacks that bring images to life.

Next to the OLED TECH zone, a Lifestyle zone was fully equipped with advanced home entertainment devices including LG StanbyME and OLED Objet Collection’s Easel and Posé, which were all built to deliver elegant designs that seamlessly harmonize with any home interior.

Among the four zones, the most exquisite was without doubt the luxurious LG SIGNATURE zone set up to show off the brand-new LG SIGNATURE range while demonstrating how it elevates a room full of high-quality furniture and carpets by Molteni&C S.p.A, a popular Italian design company LG has been working closely with since 2020. Here, visitors could witness the innovative features of LG SIGNATURE’s OLED TV, InstaView™ refrigerator, washer and dryer pair, Over-the-Range Microwave Oven with smart InstaView™, double Oven Slide-in Range with built-in cameras and the Wine Cellar.

Throughout the zones, visitors were also able to see LG’s newly updated digital symbol which, unlike the static symbol of before, now features movements in the face created by the letters of ‘LG’ that smiles, winks and even says hello. With the smooth 3D motion, the company manages to bring a refreshing personality to the brand symbol. And, thanks to this unique digital logo, LG expects to boost its interaction with younger customers who are more familiar with the digital environment, solidifying its position as a premium iconic brand all over the world.

Everyone attending LG Showcase 2023 was able to get a clear idea of how LG aims to meet customer expectations with its latest innovative technologies. Rest assured, LG will continue to introduce products that elevate the customer journey by fulfilling any requested and unrequested needs.

Stay tuned to learn more on how LG strives to enhance consumers’ lives around the world by subscribing to the LG Newsroom.

Contributed by LG Middle East and Africa

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LG Unveils Energy Efficient Heating Solutions Designed to Meet Diverse Customer Needs at ISH 2023

The picture of LG Therma V™ R290 Monobloc S and the Hydro Box located outside of the home

Therma V R290 Monobloc With Low-GWP Refrigerant Delivers Strong Performance
While Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6kW Are Ideal Solutions for Smaller Spaces

SEOUL, March 14, 2023 — LG Electronics (LG) is showcasing the new Therma V™ R290 Monobloc and Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6 kilowatt (kW) air source heat pumps (ASHP) at ISH 2023, the world’s leading trade fair for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). The new Therma V R290 Monobloc employs R290 refrigerant, which has an exceptionally low-Global Warming Potential (GWP), while the energy- and space-efficient Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6kW models are an excellent fit for smaller spaces and newly-constructed homes.

A future-ready HVAC solution, LG’s Therma V R290 Monobloc adopts R290 refrigerant, which comes with a GWP of just three, to preemptively respond to refrigerant regulations that will come into force across Europe in 2025.¹

The company’s new ASHP also boasts a subtle design that enables it to effortlessly blend in with a wide variety of home and building exteriors. The inner workings of the system are hidden behind an elegant black grill that gives the appearance of undulating waves, while the top, bottom and sides of the unit are completed in a sophisticated grey tone that matches well with most colors.

Additionally, the new Therma V R290 Monobloc offers easy management with convenient remote service. Software updates and installer settings can be quickly taken care of by remote support, offering customers a hassle-free user experience. Remote system diagnosis is also available via LG’s Building Energy Control (BECON) cloud.²

What’s more, the new ASHP delivers improved water heating performance and reliable low-temperature operation. Along with providing a leaving water temperature of up to 75 degrees Celsius, the Therma V R290 Monobloc dependably operates at full capacity in temperatures as low as negative 15 degrees Celsius.

LG is also presenting the newest addition to its Therma V R32 Split lineup, the Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6kW series, at ISH 2023. The new models are more compact in size and lighter in weight than those from the original lineup, which makes them a good choice for smaller spaces and easier for HVAC technicians to install, as well. Because they have small capacities, Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6kW series solutions do not require a large amount of refrigerant to operate. As a result, the products’ indoor units are exempt from the minimum floor area requirements typically imposed on solutions employing R32 refrigerant. This translates to greater design flexibility and can further simplify the installation process.

Depending on the type of indoor unit the customer selects, LG’s Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6kW solutions come as either a Hydro Box or Integrated Water Tank (IWT). Designed with space-efficiency in mind, the Hydro Box model has an extra-small footprint that opens up more placement possibilities. An all-in-one solution, the IWT also saves on installation space as it removes the need for a separate water tank.

“Utilizing low-GWP refrigerants, LG’s new Therma V R290 Monobloc and Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6kW series help our customers to be better prepared for the future,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “We will continue to apply low-GWP refrigerants to our heating solutions while improving performance and convenience as well as offering a wider range of products for commercial and residential applications.”

Visitors to LG’s ISH 2023 exhibition booth (E69, 12.1 Hall, Messe Frankfurt) can experience the company’s new Therma V R290 Monobloc and Therma V R32 Split 4 & 6kW series.

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¹The European Union’s F-gas Regulation, scheduled to be finalized in 2024, is likely to ban Monobloc ASHP solutions with a GWP of over 150 by 2025.
²Cloud gateway is required for remote software update, remote installer setting and remote system diagnosis.

LG Reinforces Strong Position in the European HVAC Market With Energy Efficient Solutions

LG’s new Therma V™ R290 Monobloc is displayed in LG’s booth at the ISH 2023

At ISH 2023, Company Highlights New Therma V Air Source Heat Pump Employing Low-GWP
Refrigerant and Energy Efficient Multi V i at Europe’s Biggest HVAC Trade Fair

SEOUL, March 13, 2023 — LG Electronics (LG) is showcasing its latest heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions at the International Trade Fair for Sanitation, Heating and Air (ISH) 2023, taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, from March 13-17. On display across the Residential Solution booth and the Commercial Solution booth, LG’s industry leading solutions for home and business deliver the strong performance and energy efficiency that European customers demand.

Due to tighter environmental regulations and the short supply of natural gas, the European HVAC market has seen growing interest in heat pump air conditioning systems that can reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. In 2019, the European Union announced its “European Green Deal” policy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Last year, it also declared the “REPowerEU” plan to expand the use of renewable energy by 2030 and reduce energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.

Reflecting current market trends and a commitment to energy efficiency, LG’s HVAC products at ISH 2023 demonstrate the quality and value that have made the company one of the industry’s biggest players. Visitors to the Residential Solution booth can explore various solutions designed for private residences, including air source heat pumps (ASHP) employing low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, advanced Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems, LG’s reliable Water Heater as well as the Energy Storage System (ESS) and Building Energy Control (BECON) solution for smart energy management.

Making its global debut at ISH 2023 is the brand-new Therma V™ R290 Monobloc for residential applications. The impressive ASHP utilizes R290 refrigerant, which has a GWP of three – far lower than the GWP of refrigerants commonly used in heating solutions. The Therma V R290 Monobloc also delivers dependable indoor heating to keep homes comfortably warm throughout the coldest months of the year.

The LG Therma V series of high efficiency heat pump air conditioning systems are gaining wide popularity in the European market. Delivering a differentiated customer experience based on advanced technologies and convenient energy-saving features, LG’s outstanding ASHPs saw an increase in sales of more than 120 percent over the past year. In the majority of European countries where the company’s HVAC business operates, including France and Germany, sales of LG heat pumps more than doubled in 2022.

As ASHP solutions, LG Therma V products use outdoor air to generate energy for cooling and heating, leading to significant gains in operational efficiency. LG Therma V utilizes 75 percent thermal energy harnessed from the air and 25 percent electricity, helping households to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Another energy efficient LG solution in the spotlight at ISH 2023, the Multi V™ i Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system can be found in the company’s Commercial Solution booth. Equipped with LG’s highly evolved AI engine, the Multi V i improves energy savings by up to 24.7 percent^* via AI Smart Care, which uses spatial and situational learning to adjust cooling and heating power. The solution also leverages LG’s AI Indoor Space Care to help maintain an even indoor temperature; automatically turning on the indoor units in a given area when occupants are detected, and turning them off again once the occupants have left.

“From the new Therma V R290 Monobloc to the Multi V i, our latest HVAC solutions demonstrate our commitment to promote a more energy efficient lifestyle,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “LG will continue to develop smart, energy-saving solutions and endeavor to step closer to carbon neutrality.”

Visitors to LG’s ISH 2023 exhibition booth (E69, 12.1 Hall, Messe Frankfurt) can experience the company’s full portfolio of cutting-edge HVAC solutions.

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^* Tested internally following KS Test Standard (KS B ISO 15042:2006) using 24 horsepower (HP) model Multi V i. Results may vary depending on model, ambient temperature and other environmental factors.

LG’s Inverter Direct Drive Motor Reaches Milestone With 100 Million Units Produced

LG WashTower™ is located in the laundry room beside the narrow shelf.

A Key Component of Premium LG Washing Machines for More Than Two Decades,
Company’s Innovative Motor Technology Continues to Evolve for Excellence

SEOUL, March 10, 2023 — LG Electronics (LG) announces that the production of its Inverter Direct Drive™ (DD™) motor has exceeded 100 million units. The company’s differentiated motor technology is a major factor in the strong, reliable performance and continuing global popularity of LG’s industry-leading laundry solutions.

From 1998 to the end of 2022, the company produced, on average, over 12,000 Inverter DD motors per day. LG’s Inverter DD motor connects directly to the washing drum, an innovation that helps make LG washing machines more durable and dramatically reduces noise and energy consumption during operation.

LG has refined the Inverter DD motor over four generations, continuously improving the technology and its performance capabilities to deliver greater customer value. The company holds over 240 Inverter DD motor related technology patents in Korea and internationally. In 2019, the company applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Inverter DD motor to further enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. Used in LG’s premium washing machines and dryers, the AI DD motor leverages deep learning technology to detect the weight of each load and the types of fabrics being washed. It then selects the optimal combination of drum movements from the company’s proprietary 6 Motion technology – which enables six discrete drum movements – to care and clean for users’ laundry.

Last year, LG brought its advanced Inverter DD motor to its dryers for the first time. Like the company’s washers, LG dryers also offer 6 Motion (Tumble, Swing, Rolling, Stepping, Scrubbing and Filtration) technology to boost drying performance and minimize fabric damage. LG’s inverter motor technology – specifically, the AI DD – became the first home appliance technology to earn Deep Learning AI Verification from global safety science company UL (Underwriters Laboratories).

“The number of Inverter DD motors produced points to the excellence of the motor technology LG has developed for its premium laundry solutions,” said Kim Yang-sun, head of the Component Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “We will continue to create highly efficient core components that boost the performance and reliability of our products while also reducing carbon emissions during operation.”

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LG Establishes R&D Subsidiary in Vietnam

LG Executives, Vietnam government officials and others at the opening ceremony of LG R&D Subsidiary in Vietnam

New Subsidiary to Take Key Role in Developing, Verifying IVI System Software
to Strengthen Rapidly Growing Vehicle component Solutions Business

SEOUL, March 9, 2023 — LG Electronics’ (LG) R&D center in Vietnam has officially become an R&D subsidiary in a move aimed at strengthening LG’s rapidly growing electric vehicle related business. The opening ceremony for the new subsidiary was held yesterday in Hanoi, Vietnam, and attended by Nguyen Le Hung, deputy director of High Technology Department of Ministry of Science and Technology in Vietnam, Oh Young-ju, ambassador at Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam, and Lee Sang-yong, senior vice president of R&D Laboratory at LG Electronics Vehicle component Solutions (VS) Company.

The Vietnam-based R&D subsidiary will be tasked with developing and verifying software for in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, which have been a major focus for the company’s mobility business. IVI systems, a key technology for future mobility that includes telematics and Audio, Video, Navigation (AVN) solutions, simultaneously provide a variety of driving-related information and entertainment functions.

According to market research firm Strategic Analytics, LG is leading the global market for IVI systems with a 23 percent share as of the third quarter of 2022. The company has now recorded a double-digit share of the IVI market for two years consecutively.

LG has continuously strengthened R&D capabilities in Vietnam for automotive parts since it established the Hanoi R&D Center under its Vietnam Production Corporation in 2016. With the success of the first center, the company created an additional R&D branch office in Da Nang in 2020.

The new R&D subsidiary is part of LG’s strategy to solidify its position in the global auto parts market and lead the fast-approaching autonomous driving era. Based on the balanced growth of its three core businesses – IVI systems, lighting and headlight systems via ZKW Group and e-powertrains developed through a joint venture between LG and Magna – the company now possesses the technological capabilities, scale and experience to accelerate the arrival of next-generation mobility solutions.

LG also aims to increase the workforce at the newly formed LG Electronics Development Vietnam, Ltd., boosting the number of skilled professionals more than 30 percent, from 750 to 1,000 employees, by 2024.

Since 2021, LG has been operating programs in collaboration with Vietnamese universities to help foster talented, young locals seeking careers in software development. These include the awarding of academic scholarships and guaranteeing employment for high-performing students at universities in Da Nang and neighboring cities. The program is slated to expand to universities in Hanoi this year.

“We will continue to provide mobility solutions that deliver differentiated value to our global auto industry customers,” said Lee Sang-yong, senior vice president of R&D Laboratory at LG’s VS Company. “By boosting our infrastructure to the next level, LG will continue to further enhance our capabilities and develop next-generation, innovative mobility solutions.”

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Innovation at Its Finest: LG’s 2023 TVs Complement Daily Life for Everyone

The world’s largest OLED TV on display with the new LG SIGNATURE OLED 8K and LG OLED 8K TVs at the 2023 TV showcase event.

With its market leadership strengthening significantly over the last decade, LG continues to offer constantly evolving, exclusive values through LG OLED TVs ushering in a new era for the television as well as LG QNED TVs rejuvenating the LCD space. Aligning with its Sync to You, Open to All vision, LG’s newest TV additions are akin to home hubs designed to enrich everyday life through cutting-edge technologies.

LG’s 2023 TV lineup, which will be available in Korea and global markets starting this month, highlights a decade of OLED technology advancements with premium self-lit picture quality, cutting-edge image processing for brighter, crisper images and an enhanced webOS platform equipped with more smart features and services.

With an award-winning reputation for exceptional picture quality, contrast, inky blacks and wide viewing angles, LG OLED TVs have outdone themselves yet again by offering flawless performance as well as the widest selection of resolutions (4K, 8K, etc.), form factors (rollable OLED, bendable OLED), designs and sizes (42 to 97 inches¹), giving users the freedom to choose the perfect screen for their unique needs, preferences and homes.

A significant upgrade coming to this year’s OLED evo G3 series is LG’s Brightness Booster Max technology, which incorporates brand-new light control architecture and light-boosting algorithms to increase brightness by up to 70 percent². Brightness is mapped and controlled on a pixel-by-pixel basis, resulting in sharper, more realistic images. The OLED evo G3 series also applies Super Anti Reflective technology³ to reduce visual distractions such as light glares and reflections, and even introduces the world’s largest OLED TV (97 inches) for next-level immersion on a grand scale.

The new α9 AI Processor Gen6 of 2023 OLED evo series leverages sophisticated AI-assisted Deep Learning technology to deliver top-notch picture and sound quality through AI Picture Pro, which improves upscaling so that content can be experienced exactly how the creators intended. On top of this, OLED Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro reveals hidden details to bring greater depth to every frame and AI Sound Pro fills the room with virtual 9.1.2 surround sound from the TV’s built-in speakers to place viewers into the scene. Furthermore, LG’s latest TVs and soundbars⁴ work seamlessly together and create three-dimensional sound, courtesy of WOW Orchestra.

Inspired to invent unique lifestyle experiences through its Life’s Good philosophy and Sync to You, Open to All vision, LG is revolutionizing the TV’s role at home by syncing viewers’ experiences with their unique tastes and lifestyles through new features, designs and much more.

Featuring the latest webOS, this year’s models introduce the All-New Home, a redesigned user interface (UI) offering a wealth of customization options and convenience. New Quick Cards – convenient categories such as Home Office, Gaming, Music and Sports – present users with the best way to access their most-viewed content and services.

Designed for all, the new webOS makes it easy for anyone using the TV to enjoy personalized recommendations, which are determined based on viewing history and viewing habits. AI Concierge not only curates content based on past usage and searches, but also suggests trending titles and useful settings and features – from Family Care and Eye Comfort to Multi-View mode.

To create the most seamless cross-device experience, LG’s latest TVs are compatible with the new smart home standard, Matter, giving users the ability to control and monitor various smart home devices from a growing list of global manufacturers on their TV.

Also being added to LG’s 2023 TV lineup are new QNED TVs leveraging Quantum Dot NanoCell Color technology to produce rich, accurate and lifelike colors that complete the unforgettable viewing experience. Equipped with QNED Million Grey Scale Block Dimming technology,⁵ the latest QNED Mini LED TVs come the closest to the contrast and black levels of OLED. What’s more, LG’s 2023 Mini LED TVs not only boast 64-times-greater contrast than their predecessors to achieve one million dynamic gradations, but also designs that are slimmer and harmonize with LG’s newest soundbars.

LG’s latest QNED Mini LED TVs are branded as ‘QNED evo’ TVs only in Korea

LG has implemented various features to help people of all abilities use its products, like voice descriptions when navigating menus, on-screen content and search results. Should the TV switch to standby mode, the user will receive voice notifications detailing the screen’s status and recommended actions. Also, by long-pressing LG Magic Remote’s mute button, users can find the Learn TV Remote feature which teaches them how to use the smart remote’s handy features. Finally, the Sign Language Zoom feature lets hearing-impaired users enlarge the sign language interpreter on screen.

LG is also championing environmental sustainability by reducing its plastic usage during TV production, and by ramping up its use of recycled plastics and materials featuring single-color printing.

To learn more about LG’s 2023 TVs, visit LG.com.

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¹Availability of each series and size option varies by country.
²Applies to 55/65/77-inch G3 models and is a measurement of full screen whites.
³Applies to 77/88-inch Z3 models and 55/65/77-inch G3 models.
⁴ Feature will be added via software update.
⁵Applies to QNED85 model.

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