9 virtual K-pop idols we’re stanning right now
By Bryan Ke
Virtual K-pop idols are on the rise as South Korean agencies and labels are now looking into the metaverse as the next destination for Hallyu (the Korean wave).
While fictional artists are gaining traction online following the popularity of groups such as K/DA in late 2018, the concept is not new. For instance, the English virtual band Gorillaz have found success over the years despite presenting themselves as four fictional characters.
In South Korea, virtual artists have already received millions of views since debuting. So, without further ado, here are nine virtual K-pop idols we’re stanning right now.
ETERN!TY
Created using Pulse9’s Deep Real AI technology, ETERN!TY is marketed as the company’s 11-member “AI girl group.”
After several YouTube users criticized the group and the quality of their avatars, Pulse9 promised to improve in the future, which can be seen in ETERN!TY’s most recent music video, “DTDTGMGN.”
Mave
Like ETERN!TY, Mave is also being marketed as an “AI girl group” consisting of members MARTY:, TYRA:, ZENA: and SIU:.
Plave
Besides singing and dancing, as seen in their debut song “Wait For You” in March, the group also interacts with fans via livestreams.
FE:VERSE
While FE:VERSE shares similarities to Plave in the VTuber sense, the members of this five-girl group are actually played by idols from other K-pop ensembles, such as Rien, played by former LOONA member Heejin; Seoritae, played by Apink member Hayoung; Muneo, played by former Ye-A singer Kwon Eun-bi; and Keuang and Kim Serena, whose artists are WJSN’s Luda and Soobin, respectively.
Aespa and Nævis
Besides its core members, Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning, Aespa welcomed a new artist earlier this year: the AI system called Nævis from the girl group’s fictional lore.
Han YuA
Han first debuted as the main female character of the VR game “Focus on You” in 2019 and was later launched by video game developer Smilegate as a 3D virtual influencer in August 2021.
To make Han 3D, Smilegate collaborated with Giantstep, the company that also made Aespa’s avatars.
Seung and Saejin of SUPERKIND
Like Aespa, Deep Studio Entertainment’s K-pop group SUPERKIND also operates as a virtual hybrid since two of its members, Seung and Saejin, are AI.
Originally a five-member group consisting of Saejin and four human members — Daemon, Eugene, Geon and SiO — SUPERKIND welcomed their sixth member, JDV, and another AI member, Seung, in 2022.
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