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SZA Calls Out AI and Environmental Racism: "Tech Can’t Ignore Pollution in Our Communities"

July 19, 2025

In a recent interview, singer-songwriter SZA reportedly linked the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to broader systemic issues like environmental racism, urging tech companies to address the...

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Ariana Grande Says It’s ‘Very Silly’ to Think She’s Abandoning Music Amid New Acting Roles: ‘I Plan to Sing for You All Next Year’

July 19, 2025

Ariana Grande has addressed recent rumors suggesting that she was planning to leave the music industry, calling the speculation "very silly" and reinforcing her commitment to her craft. In a candid...

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A Love Letter to K-Pop: Why Fans Are Falling for K-Pop Demon Hunters

July 16, 2025

K-Pop Demon Hunters is bursting with passion for K-pop culture from the first scene to the final encore, which is one of the key reasons why fans adore it. The film appreciates and understands the...

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From Studio Booth to Superstardom: Michael Sandecki's Unseen American Idol Revolution

July 16, 2025

You remember the performances – Kelly Clarkson’s star-making “Natural Woman,” Carrie Underwood’s explosive “Alone,” Adam Lambert’s haunting “Mad World.” But you’ve never heard the name Michael...

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Some of Beyoncé’s unreleased music and set lists stolen from choreographer’s car

July 16, 2025

In a shocking turn of events, some of Beyoncé’s unreleased music and set lists were stolen from the car of one of her choreographers, sparking concerns and raising questions about security...

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Dave Meyers: The Visionary Behind Pop’s Most Iconic Music Videos

July 16, 2025

In an era where music and visuals are inextricably linked, one name continues to shape the language of modern music videos: Dave Meyers. With a career that spans over three decades, director Dave...

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4 Toronto artists make the Polaris Music Prize short list, but Quebec leads the way

July 16, 2025

This July, the Polaris Music Prize jury unveiled its 10-album shortlist for 2025—a list led numerically by Quebec acts but featuring four shining entries from Toronto. For a city whose scene often...

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Fictional Idols vs. Real Charts: K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Unbelievable Spotify Takeover

July 16, 2025

What happens when a fictional K-pop boy band outsells the real ones? In a twist straight out of a dystopian idol fanfic, the animated groups Huntr/x and Saja Boys—created for Netflix’s explosive...

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Conan Gray’s “Vodka Cranberry” Is a Late-Night Cry for Closure—and a Glimpse Into His Most Vulnerable Album Yet

July 16, 2025

Drunk calls. Crying in the dark. Lingering heartbreak. Conan Gray’s new single “Vodka Cranberry” isn’t just a song—it’s a full-blown emotional unraveling, and fans are already bracing themselves...

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Jinu from K-Pop Demon Hunters Is Actually a K-Pop Legend - Meet Andrew Choi

July 15, 2025

Andrew Choi was already a hidden force in real-world K-pop before becoming Jinu, the soulful lead of the animated boy band Saja Boys, a member of the K-Pop Demon Hunters. Choi co-wrote the quiet....

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Justin Bieber Just Dropped the Swaggiest Album of the Year

July 13, 2025

Let’s be honest: when most pop stars go quiet, we assume they’re recharging in Bali, journaling in silk robes. Not Justin Bieber. Nah, he went into full stealth mode, dropped a random “SWAG”...

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KATSEYE Tickets for their concert tour “Beautiful Chaos,” Vanish Faster Than Eyeliner in a Heatwave — Sold Out & Slayed

July 13, 2025

It’s official: KATSEYE didn’t just sell out, they served out. Every single ticket to their upcoming live shows? Gone. Vamoosed. Snatched like a wig in a wind tunnel.The global girl group, part...

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They're Not Real? The Rise in Virtual Kpop Groups

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

Photo Source: News24

As virtual technology continues to evolve and we move towards the metaverse future, the K-pop industry has begun delving into all the possibilities. Virtual/ AI groups and performers are becoming increasingly popular and widespread in the K-pop industry. In this article, we’ll dive into a few virtual groups that have debuted in recent years.

AESPA

In November 2020, SM Entertainment debuted Aespa, the first K-pop group with their own AI avatars. The group debuted with the single “Black Mamba” and has released three albums since. Having popularized the metaverse concept in K-pop, the group consists of four members and their virtual counterparts (“aes”). These online avatars have been created from the data that the members have uploaded online, being the reflection of Aepsa.

ETERN!TY

Created by Pulse9’s technology, the group, consisting of 11 members, made their debut in March 2021 with their first single, “I’m Real.” The company started by generating female faces using Deep Real AI, based on the traits: cute, sexy, innocent, and intelligent. Based on fan votes, the winning characters were designed and have been projected onto the faces of actual girls. However, the voices of the members are the voices of the actual singers.

MAVE

MAVE is a four-member girl group, entirely composed of AI members, under Metaverse Entertainment. The group debuted with their single album, “Pandora’s Box” in January 2023. The group’s name means “make a new wave,” as it hopes to create a new wave of K-pop that includes virtual idols. The group is formed through a collaboration between Kakao, an internet company, and Netmarble, a mobile game company.

PLAVE

In March 2023, PLAVE made their debut under Kakao’s VLAST with the single album “Asterum.” Unlike other virtual artists, PLAVE uses computer graphics to create manhwa-style characters in place of the real bodies. Each track on their album was written and composed by the members themselves.

FE:VERSE

FE:VERSE is a virtual 5-member girl group formed by the winners of Kakao’s survival show, GIRL’S RE:VERSE. The group debuted with “CHO” in May 2023. Although the members are virtual, they are played by idols from other K-pop groups.

They're Not Real? The Rise in Virtual Kpop Groupstheyre-not-real-the-rise-in-virtual-kpop-groupsJenny WangOct 24, 2023As virtual technology continues to evolve and we move towards the metaverse future, the K-pop industry has begun delving into all the possibilities...