Virtual K-pop idols are redefining the music industry by blending technology and entertainment in groundbreaking ways. These idols utilise Voice AI, high-quality real-time 3D rendering, and Deep Tech to captivate audiences worldwide.
Considering the amount of research and development occurring in Web3 technologies, that day isn’t far when people will attend virtual concerts and fan meets in the metaverse. When that happens, some of the pioneering virtual groups will be at the forefront. So, let’s take a closer look at ten virtual K-Pop idols making waves today that may define tomorrow’s music scene.
Best Virtual K-Pop Idols Making Waves Today
1) K/DA
“League of Legends” famed Riot Games debuted their talents into the music industry in 2018 by creating K/DA, a leading virtual girl group. Featuring characters voiced by real K-Pop stars Soyeon and Miyeon from (G)I-DLE, as well as Madison Beer, and Jaira Burns.
K/DA’s hit single “POP/STARS”, created through advanced 3D modelling and animation, gained over 5 million YouTube views within 24 hours of its release. It also topped the Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart, setting a precedent for other virtual K-Pop idols.
2) aespa
One of the trendsetters of technotainment in mainstream K-Pop is SM Entertainment’s girl group, Aespa. Which includes four human members, Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning and their virtual avatars distinguished with the prefix “æ” (pronounced as “eye”) with their names.
The group’s concept revolves around a shared digital universe or metaverse that enhances their storytelling and performance capabilities. A glimpse of this is present in their recent and 2024’s two biggest releases, “Supernova” and “Armageddon”.
3) SUPERKIND
Another virtual K-Pop idols group mixing the Web3 technologies with 3D world is SUPERKIND, a hybrid group from Deep Studio Entertainment. Their journey in the new-tech landscape began with a pre-debut project called YOURS. However, after various attempts the project was eventually dismissed.
Later in June 2022, the septet debuted with two virtual members Saejin and Seung. Another year later, they released their second digital single “MOODY” and soon followed it with “Beam Me Up” that has taken the group to new trajectories of success.
4) PLAVE
The venture capital IP startup VLAST’s boy group, PLAVE is adding new chapters of success with each releases since 2023. The quintet features virtual members styled as manhwa characters with real-time 3D rendering technology. Its uniqueness was featured in their latest mini album “Asterum: 134-1” that sold over 220,000 physical albums on opening day.
The group also won on music charts, Show Champion and Show! Music Core, taking home the title of first virtual group to ever do so. Additionally, they held their first virtual fan concert at the Seoul Olympic Hall, showcasing why virtual K-pop idols are the future of the industry.
5) FE:VERSE
FE:VERSE emerged from Kakao Entertainment’s first-ever virtual survival show, “GIRL’S RE: VERSE.” Winner of which formed the five-member K-Pop girl group, creating a hybrid model that combines talented artists with innovative virtual performances.
The group released their mini album named “Cho” in Korean and Japanese languages, spreading their high-tech fame on a global level. However, despite this initial success, the group disbanded after four months for unknown reasons.
6) MAVE:
A four-member AI girl group under Netmarble’s subsidiary Metaverse Entertainment— MAVE: debuted in early 2023 with the single album “Pandora’s Box.” Within a year, they garnered attention for high-quality virtual members and polished performances, pushing the boundaries of what virtual idols can achieve.
To match the buzz with substance, the group released an EP named “What’s My Name”, featuring a unique showcase of machine learning, deepfake, and 3D production technology. Making people anticipate the future projects of the group.
7) SYNDI8
The newest virtual girl group SYNDI8 debuted this year under HYBE Labels utilising a Voice AI company’s foundational model NANCY (Neutral Analysis and Synthesis). It is the second virtual project coming from the entertainment giant since they acquired the Voice AI company in 2023.
Moreover, this project aligns with HYBE’s strategy to integrate new technologies in music production that are designed to deliver captivating performances and connect with a global audience.
8) MIDNATT
Before SYNDI8, fans of K-Pop’s biggest label, HYBE, witnessed the capabilities of their Voice AI technology through MIDNATT. A multilingual alter-ego of the company’s veteran singer Lee Hyun.
With his recent debut single, “Masquerade,” he took his established musical talents to the next level by releasing it in several languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese.
9) ITTERNITI
The Deep Tech and AI-based company Pulse9 debuted an 11-member virtual girl group, ITTERNITI (former ETERN!TY), in March 2021. The group was designed with attributes like sexiness, cuteness, innocence, and intelligence based on data from 20 years of K-pop singers that created a great buzz for their debut track “I’m Real”. A year later, their single “DTDTGMGN” garnered over 6.5 million views, establishing them as a power that shall continue to grow ahead.
10) HEARTSTEEL
The brother group of Riot Games’ K/DA debuted in 2023 with a single called “PARANOIA”. It consists of six members voiced by EXO’s Baekhyun, Taiwanese-American singer-rapper ØZI, Nigerian singer Tobi Lou and American rapper Cal Scruby. The group’s high-tech concepts backed with Riot Games’ expertise in gaming industry and a talented global artists line-up has placed them at the forefront of the music scene’s technotainment.
That brings us to the end of our list! There are many more soloists like influencer turned singer Rozy, Marvel Future Fights’ Luna Snow, Humap Contents’ Yuna, SMAG Entertainment’s LU, and Brave Entertainment’s King Kongz that are lighting up the stages of technotainment.
However, the virtual K-pop idols and groups mentioned in our list are a bit different. They are not just a novelty sprouted from recent technological advances but a significant part of the evolving music landscape.
Whether technotainment carves its niche or seeps into the mainstream media in the future— these virtual pioneers’ impact on the global music scene is likely to grow. So, are you ready to experience and interact with music in surprisingly new ways?
Read More: Apple TV+ Pachinko Season 2: Release Date, Recap, & Plot Predictions
