The Rise of Virtual Kpop Groups

  AI or Virtual Groups dominated the K-pop industry earlier this year by releasing music that fully encapsulates the combination of futurist...

 

AI or Virtual Groups dominated the K-pop industry earlier this year by releasing music that fully encapsulates the combination of futuristic and K-pop music sounds. Some of the releases also trended on TikTok, which gave these groups recognition to rise to the music industry. But did it start?

A virtual girl group formed by Riot Games, K/DA, consisting of four themed versions of League of Legends characters Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa. K/DA was unveiled in the 2018 League of Legends World Championship Opening Ceremony in Incheon on November 3, 2018, with the release of their debut single, “Pop/Stars.” (G)I-dle members Miyeon and Soyeon provide the voices of Ahri and Akali, and Madison Beer and Kim Petras voice Evelynn. Jaira Burns provided the voice for Kai’Sa. However, the characters have also been voiced by other artists. They kept releasing music in 2020 with their pre-release single “The Baddest,” followed by their first EP ‘All Out.’ On September 28, 2020, They announced that their fanbase is called BLADES. And by that, K/DA has paved the way for the futuristic and innovative side of K-pop with its successful debut in Korea.

Source

Before 2020 ended, SM Entertainment debuted Aespa. The group comprises four members: Karina, Winter, Giselle, and NingNing. Each member has an AI or virtual representation, which are æ-Karina, æ-Winter, æ-Giselle, and æ-NingNing. They are the first KPOP group to have virtual members. They released their debut, “Black Mamba,” showcasing the members’ great dance and vocals with their AI counterparts. They rose to fame with the release of “Next Level,” which trended and charted in Korea. The group also promotes in the United States and recently performed at the famous music festival Coachella.

Source

And earlier this year, Kakao Entertainment and Metaverse Entertainment debuted a virtual K-pop group ‘MAVE,’ consisting of MARTY, SIU, TYRA, and ZENA. With the release of their debut album, “PANDORA’S BOX,” they took the K-pop industry by storm as their title track, “PANDORA,” trended in TikTok. Users are using their song and the original song choreography as a trend, with 24.3k posts.

 

Source

More virtual K-pop groups will probably debut anytime soon with the rise of AI and technology in Korea. These have opened gates to create more innovation with music and idols.



Thumbnail from KoreaTimes & ArcadiaPhill

Written by: Jasmine Ticmon

Jasmine Sophia Jhudiel R. Ticmon, or just simply "Jassy," is a Humanities and Social Science Student of Electron College Of Technical Education - Camarin, who writes with luv and fun!