Artificial Intelligence and Real Humans Collaborate to Create Chart-Topping Virtual Bands

Courtesy of Blast

In a groundbreaking shift within the K-pop landscape, virtual idol groups are making waves, with one such group, Plave, recently topping pre-voting lists for the Rookie of the Year award at the Seoul Music Awards. The five-member virtual group, debuting in March 2023, has sold over 200,000 copies of its latest album in just a week, signaling a unique development in the global music phenomenon.

Plave stands out as a virtual idol group with flawless visuals and charming vocals, akin to traditional K-pop bands. The group engages with its audience through a bi-weekly YouTube channel boasting over 530,000 subscribers, showcasing a level of interaction comparable to human counterparts. 

▲ Courtesy of Blast

Virtual idols fall into two categories: those created with real humans donning special suits for motion capture, and others solely generated through artificial intelligence. Plave belongs to the former category, utilizing technology to superimpose virtual appearances on real individuals who actively participate in songwriting, composing, and dance performances.

Isegye Idol, a six-member virtual girl group, also incorporates real humans behind their virtual facades, achieving notable success with their third digital single ranking sixth on the Melon Top 100 chart.

On the other end of the spectrum, groups like Eternity, an 11-member AI-created ensemble, and MAVE:, a virtual girl group co-produced by Kakao Entertainment and Netmarble, are gaining immense popularity. MAVE: made history by becoming the first virtual idol group to appear on a music broadcast program, and their debut song's music video garnered 27 million views within 11 months.

▲ Courtesy of WaktaverseWhile virtual idols have yet to become mainstream in K-pop, their presence is expanding steadily, with fans embracing them as a blend of characters and real-life artists. Technological advancements are propelling this evolution further, with companies exploring artificial intelligence technologies, such as Netmarble's Persona AI, to enhance the natural communication and appearance of virtual idols.

Fans appreciate the advantages of virtual idols, such as flawless appearances and the potential for unique and dramatic content that goes beyond the limitations of reality. As technology continues to progress, addressing concerns like the 'uncanny valley' problem, virtual idols may find a more significant foothold in the ever-evolving landscape of the K-pop market.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com