‘Dogppelgänger’—a service that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to match individuals with their lookalike rescue dogs (Image courtesy of Cheil Worldwide)
SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Cheil Worldwide has unveiled an innovative adoption campaign in collaboration with YouTube channel ‘King of Positivity, Kim Ttangkong,’ introducing ‘Dogppelgänger’—a service that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to match individuals with their lookalike rescue dogs.
The name ‘Dogppelgänger’ is a fusion of ‘dog’ and ‘doppelgänger,’ reflecting the campaign’s AI-driven approach to analyzing human facial features and personalities to find a matching shelter dog.
Running through the end of March 2025, the campaign aims to raise awareness of abandoned pets and features Kim Ttangkong, a rescue dog character created by PD Lee Seul-yena, known for discovering the popular character ‘Pengsoo.’
Participants can upload their photos to the Dogppelgänger website, where AI technology will analyze various elements, including facial expressions and poses, to find the closest match among 130 rescue dogs currently under the care of the Korean Dogs animal protection organization.
The system provides detailed profiles of the matched dogs, including names, ages, characteristics, and the rationale behind the pairing. As an added interactive feature, users may also be matched with past or present images of Kim Ttangkong, receiving a downloadable emoji if selected.
To further support pet adoption, users who share their matching results on social media will contribute KRW 100 ($0.07) per share to a fund for rescue dogs. Additionally, the campaign offers direct adoption inquiries and sponsorship options via the ‘Adoption Inquiry’ button on the results page.
A Cheil Worldwide representative explained, “We designed this campaign based on research indicating that people tend to choose pets resembling themselves. Through this initiative, we hope to address the serious issue of pet abandonment.”
According to recent data from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, an average of 80,000 dogs are rescued annually in South Korea, yet only about 10% are successfully reunited with their original owners.
This initiative marks a creative step in leveraging AI and digital engagement to promote responsible pet ownership and increase adoption rates for abandoned animals.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
