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Olivia Rodrigo Strikers Gold Again with “GUTS”

September 29, 2023

After a long two year wait since the release of her first breakout album “Sour”, Olivia Rodrigo is back with her sophomore album, “GUTS.” Olivia Rodrigo has been a revelation in the music...

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Boys Planet: Where Are They Now?

September 29, 2023

Throughout the show, the trainees trained rap, dance, and vocal skills through a variety of battles. On April 20, 2023, the nine members of ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) were announced....

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Lil Tecca's Tec: Album Review

September 27, 2023

The highly awaited sophomore album from Lil Tecca, the 21-year-old hip-hop sensation, is called "TEC," and it's safe to say that it demonstrates the artist's development and professional maturity...

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"Slime You Out": Drake and SZA's Lyrical Alchemy

September 27, 2023

Drake and SZA, has recently swept the globe with their most recent single, "Slime You Out." This unique and intriguing song has already attracted a lot of attention...

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Laufey: The Jazz Sensation Reigniting the Genre's Flame

September 25, 2023

What sets Laufey apart is her unique fusion of jazz, folk, and pop elements, creating a sound that resonates with both jazz enthusiasts and a younger audience...

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Introducing JYP And Republic Records American Girl Group: VCHA

September 25, 2023

For the past few months, K-pop fans have turned to the new reality competition that is America 2 Korea (A2K). The show’s premise involves contestants earning “stones” ...

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BTS To Renew Contracts With Big Hit Music

September 22, 2023

In a move that’s sure to thrill ARMYs around the world, all seven BTS members have officially committed to renewing their contracts with BigHit Music and HYBE...

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The New Era of SM Entertainment: The Debut of RIIZE

September 22, 2023

Alongside RCA Records in the States, SM Entertainment’s newest boy group, RIIZE, is showing enormous promise in the growing music market...

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How to Write Songs Like Sia

September 22, 2023

n the world of music, there are few artists as enigmatic and prolific as Sia. While her distinctive voice and captivating performances have earned her a well-deserved spot in the limelight...

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How to Reinvent Your Sound Like The Weeknd & Taylor Swift

September 22, 2023

So how have the two superstars managed to stay dominant in the industry throughout their long careers? The answer lies within their artist direction– they both have the ability to evolve their....

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MTV VMAs 2023

September 13, 2023

After nearly four hours of must-see performances, a surprise guest appearance, record-breaking award victories, and an epic celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, MTV's greatest music event came..

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Daniel Caesar's "Never Enough": Vulnerability and Soulful Songwriting

September 15, 2023

Daniel Caesar's latest album, "Never Enough," stands as a testament to his ability to bare his soul through his music. With every track, he delves into the depths of vulnerability, crafting....

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

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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...