Abstract
The preservation and digital transmission of cultural heritage have become increasingly vital in the era of immersive media. This study introduces a real-time framework for digitizing and animating traditional performing arts, with a focus on Korean traditional dance as a representative case study. The proposed approach combines three core components: (1) high-fidelity 3D avatar creation through volumetric scanning of performers, costumes, and props; (2) real-time motion capture using multi-camera edge processing; and (3) motion-to-avatar animation that integrates skeletal mapping with physics-based simulation. By transmitting only essential motion keypoints from lightweight edge devices to a central server, the system enables bandwidth-efficient streaming while reconstructing expressive, lifelike 3D avatars. Experiments with eight performers and eight cameras achieved low latency (~200 ms) and minimal network load (<1 Mbps), successfully reproducing the esthetic qualities and embodied gestures of Korean traditional performances in a virtual environment. Beyond its technical contributions, this framework provides a novel pathway for the preservation, dissemination, and immersive re-experiencing of intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that the artistry of traditional dance can be sustained and appreciated in digital form.