What’s it like to live on Rebbenesøya – a remote Norwegian island more than 450 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle?

For Ann Eileen Lennert, an environmental anthropologist deeply passionate about nature, it’s both her sanctuary and workplace. There, she leads a kelp restoration project that explores the bonds between humans and the sea, finding purpose and peace along the way. Although her work often takes her far from her family, Ann has discovered that true connections can thrive – even across great distances.

Through a short documentary-style brand film, Ann’s story takes center stage in LG’s latest campaign, Radio Optimism, which highlights the meaning of genuine connections beyond superficial interactions in an era of growing disconnection.

We sat down with Ann to hear more about her life, her outlook and what “connectedness” truly means.

Q. It’s wonderful to meet you! Can you briefly introduce yourself?
I’m an environmental anthropologist studying how people connect and interact with nature – how that bond can inspire conservation, restoration and a shared sense of responsibility. That we care. My work often takes me to remote areas, like Rebbenesøya, where building community and motivation through these efforts is at the heart of what I do.

Q. LG’s Radio Optimism campaign focuses on connectedness. What drew you to this project?

At first, I thought of “connectedness” simply as staying close to my family while being physically apart. But over time, the idea expanded for me. It includes our connection to nature, to places and to one another.

That’s why the campaign felt so natural to me – it goes beyond superficial interactions and speaks to something much deeper. I honestly didn’t expect this emotional depth from a brand I typically associate with electronics. It was a pleasant and meaningful surprise.

Q. What do you value most in your relationships? What makes a connection truly meaningful, especially when time together is limited?
For me, nothing compares to face-to-face interactions – you can read body language, feel someone’s energy and connect on a deeper level.

I treasure relationships where, even after a long time apart, it feels like no time has passed once we’re together. That’s a real connection.

Family is especially important. Ours is small, and we live far from relatives, so we work hard to stay close, honest and emotionally present despite the distance.

Q. Being away from your children must be challenging. How do you stay connected with them?
It is hard, of course. But I deeply value the time we do spend together and try to keep our connection strong, even when we’re apart.

I involve my children in my work – whether that’s fieldwork, sailing or even free diving. Sharing these experiences helps us stay in sync and grow closer, even when I am away.

One of my favorite moments in the LG film was hearing the personalized song my children helped create through Radio Optimism. They mentioned many kind things of how they view me, not to mention my “embarrassing llama sweater” and “kelp earrings” – it was so sweet and funny, and a real reflection of how close we are as a family.

Q. Does music play a big role in your life?
Absolutely! Music sets the tone for our moods and memories. We have special playlists for things like summer holidays, and I often start my day with a happy song.

It’s amazing how a song can instantly transport you back to a specific moment in time and reconnect you to memories.

Q. If you could create a personalized Radio Optimism song for someone, who would it be?
I’d love to create one for my mother. She’s a big music lover and is going through a tough time right now. A song would be a heartfelt way to support and connect with her.

I’d also make one for my children – something playful about our shared memories, maybe even teasing them a little about who should take out the trash or empty the dishwasher. I believe in celebrating small, joyful moments however we can.

Q. Your optimism really shines through when you talk about your work and family. How do you nurture it?
I’ve been called a “ray of optimism”, and I think it comes from spending time in nature – and sharing those moments with my family.

Nature teaches you perspective, humility and awe. And living in a close-knit community like Rebbenesøya helps too. My neighbors are kind, and there’s a deep sense of mutual care. We look out for one another.

Even on difficult days, I look for what I call a “positive prize” – something small to lift me up, whether it’s cooking, listening to music or simply going for a walk.

Q. What’s next for you? Any projects or plans you’re excited about?
I want to continue exploring how connecting with nature and participating in citizen science activities can change people’s perceptions and care towards the environment. One of my biggest dreams is to establish underwater gardens, inspired by Korea’s Haenyeo! Learning from their wisdom and exploring what might be possible even in places like the Arctic Circle would be incredibly exciting.

This kind of work fuels me. It’s all about rebuilding our bonds and creating meaningful connections: with people, with nature and with a common goal. I believe this can create new values, experiences and memories, and I want our children and grandchildren to have these memories and connections too. That’s where I find happiness and motivation.

Life’s Good when we’re connected with a song.
Watch Ann’s story come to life in the Radio Optimism film (here), and create your own personalized song for someone special at RadioOptimism.lg.com.

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On June 5, billions of people around the world came together to celebrate World Environment Day. With this year’s observance proudly hosted by South Korea – LG’s home country – the company was more committed than ever to making a meaningful global impact. Centered on the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, the day called on individuals and organizations everywhere to take action against plastic waste and protect our shared planet.

LG answered that call through a series of local, hands-on initiatives that reduce plastic use, promote environmental awareness and build stronger communities. From upcycling workshops to tree-planting drives, here’s how LG teams around the world are turning their commitment into action – and helping to shape a more sustainable future.

Taiwan: Turning Trash into Treasure
In Taiwan, LG collaborated with TRASHOLOVE, a local organization dedicated to creative reuse, to host a Plastic Reduction Workshop. Around 20 employees brought in discarded plastics from home – bottles, packaging and more – and transformed them into clipboards, coasters and keychains.

Guided by sustainability experts, participants handled every part of the upcycling process – from crushing plastics to sanding and shaping final products. Beyond crafting functional items, the workshop empowered individuals to take environmental action into their own hands, reinforcing LG’s values of responsibility and innovation.

Benelux: Inspiring the Next Generation
In the Netherlands, LG Benelux partnered with the Bloeiwijzer School in Amstelveen to host a sustainability-themed event combining education, inspiration and community.

Special guest Wail Kherrazi – 16-year-old Climate Mayor of Amstelveen, UNICEF Youth Panel member and founder of the WailSalutem Foundation – shared his personal journey as a climate advocate.

To cap off the day, each student received a certificate of environmental commitment, co-signed by Wail and LG Benelux – a symbol of how even the smallest actions can lead to lasting change.

Italy: Cultivating a Culture of Sustainability

In Italy, LG focused on encouraging simple, sustainable habits. Employees received plant-growing kits for aromatic herbs, promoting greener lifestyles at home and in the office.

A green-themed quiz added a fun, educational twist – reinforcing how everyday actions, even small ones, can foster a lasting Culture of Sustainability.

Jordan: Community Recycling in Action

In Jordan, LG Levant partnered with local startup Green Iris to launch a community recycling initiative. Over several weeks, employees collected recyclable plastics and paper, delivering them to designated drop-off points in Dabouq. There, materials were repurposed into new products through innovative recycling techniques.

Mongolia: Growing a Greener Legacy
In Mongolia, LG launched the “Life’s Good Garden” project near the Genghis Khan statue east of Ulaanbaatar, in collaboration with Genco Tour Bureau. The team planted over 120 trees and shrubs – spruce, pine and flowering species – contributing to a national environmental campaign.

Spanning 4,000 square meters and featuring 610 meters of colorful new walkways, the garden is open to the public. Visitors can even plant trees tagged with their name and planting date – a personal touch that celebrates individual contributions to a greener world.

India: Creativity Begins at Home

At LG India, sustainability met creativity through the “Trash to Treasure” initiative. Employees’ children showcased their eco-conscious creativity in an art exhibition that turned recycled materials into imaginative sculptures and crafts.

More than just an art show, the event reflected core values – family, environmental awareness, and the idea that meaningful change often begins with the next generation.

Singapore: From Clean-Up to Circularity

In Singapore, over 100 LG employees joined a coastal clean-up at Yishun Dam, collecting a staggering number of plastic bottle caps. As a part of the annual clean up, employees collected a staggering total of 950 kilograms of trash. But that was just the beginning.

Teaming up with Green Nudge, the group launched “Make Waste Great Again!” – a workshop where collected bottle caps were upcycled into coasters, keychains and more.

For those looking to go the extra mile, a beeswax wrap workshop challenged participants to create sustainable alternatives to single-use kitchen plastic. Using cotton fabrics found around the home, employees upcycled vibrant, reusable wraps while learning how small changes in the home can significantly reduce their personal plastic waste.

Kenya: Restoring Forests, Reviving Hope

LG East Africa celebrated World Environment Day by planting 300 indigenous trees in Ngong Hills Forest, just outside Nairobi. Once sprawling across 7,200 acres, the forest has shrunk due to deforestation and urbanization – but remains crucial for local biodiversity and clean air.

In partnership with Tree Niches Organization, 60 LG employees each planted five seedlings. With expert guidance from co-founder Dr. Solomon Kipkoech, they learned proper techniques and pledged to nurture the trees over the next three years – demonstrating LG’s commitment to long-term environmental stewardship.

From Asia to Europe to Africa, LG teams are showing that local action can drive global change. These initiatives are more than one-time events – they’re part of an ongoing journey to ensure that Life’s Good for people and the planet alike.

Contributed by LG’s subsidiaries in Taiwan, Benelux, Italy, Jordan, Mongolia, India, Singapore and Kenya

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In this interview, we delve into the creative process of Fred Scott, the London-based BAFTA-winning filmmaker, as he brings LG’s “Radio Optimism” campaign to life. This campaign aims to strengthen meaningful human connections in a world dominated by superficial interactions on social media.

What does it mean to genuinely connect in a hyper-connected era, where people paradoxically feel more disconnected than ever? To strengthen meaningful human connections in a world dominated by superficial interactions on social media, LG launched a new brand campaign called “Radio Optimism” last month, expanding its “Life’s Good” philosophy into the digital space through shared musical experiences.

To create the brand film for the campaign, LG collaborated with Fred Scott, a London-based BAFTA-winning filmmaker known for “London Bridge: Facing Terror.” With a foundation of emotionally grounded, human-centered storytelling, Scott brought his unique creative lens to the project and crafted a short documentary film that highlights the power of music to bridge even the widest emotional and physical distances.

In this piece, we delve into Scott’s creative process – tracing how he creatively brought the message of “Connecting the Disconnected” to life for the campaign through his distinctive storytelling.

What do you value most as a filmmaker and a creator? What drives your creative process?
Authenticity (obviously), intimacy and a clear sense of openness and trust is what I am always seeking when making a film. I believe in the power of narrative to foster empathy and build shared understanding. How can I connect with audiences without authenticity or real people? 

Whenever I start a project, I actively seek out genuine individuals and stories, whether a reclusive filmmaker reflecting on their art or people searching for redemption after a traumatic event. My aim as a creator is to bring these stories to life authentically – in an environment where the subjects feel protected and supported.

What did you think when you first heard about “Radio Optimism?” Was there something about the idea that resonated with you creatively or personally?
The concept of togetherness and connection in the Radio Optimism campaign resonated with me, especially as we live in a world where we’re supposedly never more connected – yet we can often feel disconnected.

Through this campaign, LG is bridging the gap between technology and emotional connection in a powerful, effective and, most importantly, genuine way. It makes those who feel disconnected feel part of a community.

What also stood out was the longevity of the platform. It’s not just a fleeting story but a campaign that could grow into a movement. Through the universal language of music, Radio Optimism has the power to be inclusive, creating something that anyone around the world can contribute to.

How did you choose the subject for the film?
Finding the right person with an inspiring story to tell and who lives or works for periods away in a remote location was no mean feat. However, when we found Ann Eileen, everything just clicked into place, and I knew she encapsulated everything I wanted the brand film to live and breathe.

She truly is the beacon of the film. She’s effervescent, relatable, approachable and deeply inspiring. She has sacrificed a lot to pursue her passion in her field of research to protect the planet but at the cost of spending more than three months away from her family. Yet, despite the time apart, they’ve found ways to connect, and it’s truly inspiring to see how Ann Eileen’s values and ethics can be witnessed in her children.

Through the film, I wanted to capture this genuine, nurturing and intimate feeling of Ann’s family life and highlight the power of meaningful connections.

Tell us more about your creative process for the short documentary film?
For this project, my approach leaned into a documentary style with a particular eye on scale, juxtaposing the intimacy of Ann Eileen’s family life with the epic, remote and expansive landscape around her.

I wanted to find moments of genuine, emotional connection within a story of isolation while keeping the tone soulful rather than sugary.

The cinematography was designed to feel authentic and beautiful, highlighting both the uniqueness of the setting and the realism of the experience. The story’s authenticity is key to connecting with the audience. Inauthenticity breaks that bond.

How do you stay connected with your family when you are divided by distance?
Staying connected with my family while away has always been important to me. I use video calls, voice notes and sometimes even analogue ways, such as leaving notes. Whilst technology offers us ways to communicate, leaving notes is a very personal way of sharing emotional connection.

I’m fortunate to be a parent, and if I were to make a song using the Radio Optimism platform, I’d make one for my four-year-old son. He is obsessed with the saxophone and discovering language, so this would be a fun way to capture this precious moment of his childhood.

What do you want audiences to feel when they watch the Radio Optimism documentary film?
I hope the authenticity of the film resonates with people. Ann Eileen’s life may be unique, but the emotions and relationships at the heart of it are something we all recognize.

I’d love for the film to encourage people to keep communicating and strengthen their relationships, especially in a world where it’s easy to drift apart.

Sometimes, we need a little nudge to make a phone call or create something for someone we care about—I want this film to feel like that nudge.

I also want the audience to see the joy and emotional power of creating a personalized song, even if it’s about something silly and every day like embarrassing knitwear.

What are your reflections on the production and what does “Life’s Good” mean to you?
The whole process was incredibly satisfying because it felt genuine, collaborative and driven by a shared purpose to put something meaningful into the world.

I feel the film captured the kind of optimism and authenticity we hoped to share with audiences.

To me, “Life’s Good” means having purpose, hope and shared experiences. I feel fortunate that my work allows me to support others and tell stories that matter.

Watch the film here and stay tuned for the next interview, where we continue to explore the inspiring stories behind the Radio Optimism campaign.

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The annual FOOD & WINE Classic, held recently in the stunning mountain town of Aspen, Colorado (USA), is considered the pinnacle culinary event in the U.S., attracting luminaries, passionate foodies and leading industry experts for an unforgettable celebration of food and wine culture. The renowned three-day celebration of food, wine and culture, features more than 40 cooking demonstrations, 70 chefs and beverage experts and immersive tasting experiences hosted by FOOD & WINE magazine. As the exclusive appliance partner of the prestigious event, SKS (formerly Signature Kitchen Suite) took center stage. The luxury built-in kitchen brand hosted more than 4,000 visitors at the SKS demonstration kitchen inside the Grand Tasting Pavilion, treating them to immersive culinary experiences and sharing the essence of the SKS “True to Food” philosophy.

Throughout the three days of this year’s FOOD & WINE Classic, SKS served up a stellar menu of cooking demonstrations, chef-led tastings and interactive sessions showcasing the artistry and precision of the brand’s modern luxury cooking appliances. Attendees viewed live demos, product showcases and inspiring conversations with top culinary talent, including James Beard Award winner Stephanie Izard and best-selling cookbook author and renowned food personality Mark Bittman, who also hosts the SKS True to Food series, a collection of short films that celebrate cooking craftmanship and respect for food on every level. SKS Executive Chef Nick Ritchie captivated audiences with his rendition of Sous Vide Colorado Lamb Chops with Mostarda di Frutta. His delectable demonstration also provided attendees with an up-close look at how SKS technology can elevate both flavor and aroma while giving each ingredient the respect it deserves.

One of the main highlights was the culinary seminar, Mark Bittman’s in Hot Water – Turning Up the Heat on Sous Vide, Steam and Searing, led by Bittman and Chef Ritchie. This session offered an in-depth exploration of the advanced techniques that can be used when cooking with SKS’s award-winning appliances that empower home chefs to achieve restaurant-quality results in their own kitchens.

SKS booth visitors enjoyed a variety of chef-crafted dishes, such as ricotta dumplings with hen sauce, a duet of savory chocolate truffles and Smokeye Hill Huckleberry Sour cocktails served over SKS Craft Ice.™ Supporting these delicious experiences were key SKS luxury kitchen appliances, including the 48-inch Dual-Fuel Pro Range and the 36-inch Induction Cooktop, which boasts industry-leading power and heating precision. With diverse functionality that includes sous vide, steaming and searing, SKS appliances perfectly illustrate how performance, precision and advanced technology can enhance the art of cooking.

The 2025 FOOD & WINE Classic marked the first major public showcase of SKS products since the global rebrand (from Signature Kitchen Suite to SKS) was announced at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2025 in February. With its successful showing in Aspen, SKS has further cemented its reputation as a luxury built-in brand; one that continues to redefine the modern kitchen while enabling–and inspiring–“Technicurian™” home chefs everywhere to achieve gourmet-level results in their own kitchens.

Stay tuned to Beyond News to keep up with the latest from the SKS brand and to learn more about the “True to Food” difference.

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Is it really possible for a TV in a bright living room to re-create what you see in a dark theater? With LG’s 2025 OLED, that translation may now be closer than ever.

Over the past few years, LG has worked closely with Hollywood filmmakers to develop the ultimate display experience for cinematic viewing. As part of that initiative, the LG OLED Hollywood Roadshow, which debuted last year, made its second appearance in Los Angeles in May.

Photo credit: LG Corp

Held at Picture Shop, a high-profile post-production company on Sunset Boulevard, the event attracted filmmakers, colorists and cinematographers eager to explore how LG’s OLED technology, including the latest LG OLED evo AI G5(Link Embedded) model, translates creative intent to home viewing environments.

“As a cinematographer, I deeply appreciate the boosted brightness and richer, more nuanced blacks of the LG OLED evo AI G5. It’s incredibly satisfying,” cinematographer Rachel Morrison says of the LG OLED evo AI G5, which offers more than three times the peak brightness of standard OLED TVs while maintaining perfect blacks. (LG is the first manufacturer to receive Perfect Black verification from UL Solutions, a global authority in product testing and certification.) LG also earned the highest “perfect” grade from TÜV Rheinland for indoor lighting image quality certification — an evaluation that confirmed the display’s ability to maintain top-tier picture quality not only in dark settings, but also in bright indoor spaces (Certified models: 65-inch M5/G5/C5/B5).

Building on this commitment to consistent image quality across lighting environments, a major result of LG’s collaboration with Hollywood professionals is Ambient Light Compensation, designed to enhance filmmaker-mode accuracy. Since films are typically mastered in dark environments, but viewed in various lighting, this feature automatically adjusts brightness and color to preserve the filmmaker’s vision. The algorithm behind Ambient Light Compensation was designed in collaboration with two Hollywood veterans: colorist John Daro, known for his work on “Kimi” and “Contagion,” and Michael Smith, a technical consultant.

John Daro, Colorist (Photo credit: Variety)

To calibrate HDR tone mapping for different lighting, Daro tested starting from a pitch-dark 5-nit baseline. “The goal was to ensure the image holds up, even in a sunlit room. Viewers shouldn’t have to dim the lights or close the blinds,” he says.

“Light sensors in the TV detect room brightness and the algorithm adjusts luminance accordingly,” Smith explains. “Whether it’s day or night, the content stays faithful to the filmmaker’s intent.”

Colorist Peter Doyle was also impressed. “Ambient Light Compensation is a game changer. It lets viewers experience the subtleties we labor over in a post-production facility, regardless of their lighting environment.”

Ambient Light Compensation Test Room (Photo credit: Variety)

As home viewing becomes the new norm, filmmakers are increasingly interested in display tech that preserves artistic integrity. Below is a recap of conversations with two filmmakers at the LG OLED Hollywood Roadshow.

How was your experience with LG OLED at the LG OLED Hollywood Roadshow?
It was great to see a panel that audiences will use in their own homes — up close and in action. LG OLED handles black levels and reflections impressively. The Ambient Light Compensation feature stood out, especially its responsiveness to lighting changes.

Peter Doyle, colorist for “Inside Llewyn Davis” and the “Harry Potter” series (Photo credit: Variety)

What feature of LG OLED do you think will most impact viewers?
The consistency of its blacks. In the “Harry Potter” series, for instance, many nighttime scenes are lit only by candlelight, with students dressed in black robes. In those cases, it’s no exaggeration to say the entire scene hinges on how black and shadows are rendered. Black isn’t just a background, it’s almost a character of its own. It grounds the frame and reveals nuance in the shadows. If a panel fails to express those subtleties, all the audience sees is a flat mass of darkness. There’s a saying: Everything comes down to black and shadow detail. And with LG OLED, the gradation of black, the softness and depth, is truly impressive.

What was your first impression of LG OLED Hollywood Roadshow?
The LG OLED evo AI G5 immediately stood out with its superior contrast and black levels. I was especially drawn to filmmaker mode, which aligns with how directors and DPs intend their work to be seen. And it disables motion smoothing, which is a nightmare for filmmakers.

Rachel Morrison, cinematographer of “Black Panther” and “Mudbound” (Photo credit: Variety)

Both “Black Panther” and “Mudbound” contain many dark scenes. What advantages do you think LG OLED offers when watching those films?
In “Black Panther,” the costumes feature layered textures and subtle differences in black tones. That complexity needs to come through without compromising skin tones. Displays like LG OLED preserve richness, detail, and accuracy within the blacks. In “Mudbound,” capturing the contrast between harsh daylight and moonlit nights was essential because I wanted to capture the stark contrast between what it meant to live in the American South as a white person versus a Black person. Without a display that expresses such nuance, much of the film’s meaning could be lost. LG OLED allows viewers to fully experience the world we built.

• Peak brightness is 3X brighter than LG OLED B5 @10% window by Internal measurements.
• In November 2024, LG’s entire 2025 OLED lineup (based on display modules) received certification from UL (certification number V183632) for achieving black levels below 0.24 nits in environments up to 500 lux. Actual performance may vary depending on viewing conditions

Ready to see movies the way directors intended — with every shadow, color and detail?

Click here and let LG OLED evo AI G5 show you how. For more immersive movie watching experience, visit the LG OLED Movie Club.

This story was edited from an advertorial feature article published on Variety.com by Bae Dongmi with photography by Ha Jin-kyung. This interview was conducted following attendance at the LG Electronics-hosted Hollywood Roadshow event in L.A. (LG OLED evo AI G5 showcase).

# # #

Despite living in a world more connected than ever before, many people paradoxically feel a deeper sense of disconnection. As part of its ongoing efforts to understand that true fulfillment comes from genuine connections and reflecting LG’s commitment to expand “Life’s Good” in digital spaces, LG Electronics conducted a global survey to explore the state of connection in the digital age. The findings offer timely insight into the emotional disconnect often hidden behind the screens we interact with every day.

Conducted across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India and Canada, the survey gathered responses from 5,000 individuals between the ages of 18 and 45. It revealed that 68 percent of people find it more difficult to form real friendships and meaningful connections in today’s social media-driven world. The most common barriers include a lack of time, practical distance, and the fear of awkwardness—pointing to deeper issues beneath the surface of digital engagement.

 Perhaps more concerning, 62 percent of participants reported spending more time online every week than engaging in deep, meaningful interactions with people. Furthermore, one in three respondents said they had experienced a meaningful connection only once or not at all in the past month.

And yet, the desire for more remains clear: 82 percent said they believe their lives would benefit from more meaningful connections, and 86 percent agreed such relationships help them view life more optimistically.

 To counteract the disconnection often felt in an era dominated by superficial interactions, such as likes and comments on social media, LG launched “Radio Optimism,” a new brand campaign designed to spark genuine connection through the power of music. Inspired by the storytelling spirit of traditional radio, the campaign invites people to create one-of-a-kind AI-generated songs and share them with someone special. In doing so, LG is helping to turn digital interactions into heartfelt moments that build bridges instead of barriers.

The campaign reflects LG’s enduring brand promise—Life’s Good—and its belief that technology should serve not just our convenience, but our emotional well-being. In a time when many are scrolling past what really matters, LG is encouraging people to pause, reflect and reconnect.

The campaign website is available in English and Spanish, with plans to support additional languages to enable broader participation. The official campaign website can be found at RadioOptimism.lg.com, and visit www.lg.com/lifesgood/ to know more details about LG’s brand promise.

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^{* Survey Methodology
Timings: Fieldwork conducted from April 29 – May 1, 2025, via Focaldata
Countries: 5 – US, UK, Australia, India and Canada
Age: 18-45
Sample Size: 5,000 participants across US, UK, Australia, India and Canada, with 1,000 participants in each market, and nationally representative splits by age, gender and region.}