Animated Idols Break Records and Win Hearts
The members of PLAVE, one of the trendiest groups in K-pop today, have performed on stage, made TV appearances, and even landed on the Billboard Global 200 chart. Yet, these five stars—Yejun, Noah, Eunho, Bamby, and Hamin—aren’t real-life performers. They are two-dimensional virtual idols.
Despite being avatars, PLAVE has gained a massive following, amassing over 470 million views on YouTube. Their popularity continues to soar, with their latest album, Caligo Pt.1, selling over one million copies in a single week since its release earlier this year.
Human-Controlled Avatars with a Real-Time Fan Connection
Unlike other virtual bands, PLAVE’s members are powered by real humans using motion-capture technology. Their label, Vlast, revealed that the performers’ movements and voices are relayed in real time, allowing for highly interactive and lifelike performances.
“To bring concerts to life, we link our in-house motion capture studio directly to the venue,” said Vlast CEO Lee Sung-gu. “This setup also lets the avatars see and respond to fan reactions in real-time during the show.”
Though the identities behind the avatars remain confidential, PLAVE’s creators say the goal is authenticity and fan connection. Bamby, a character with pink hair and eyes, expressed the excitement of performing live. “We don’t often meet fans in person, so concerts are special. Their cheers drive us to give our best,” he said.
Accessibility and Innovation Fuel the Rise of PLAVE
PLAVE’s approach has found favour among K-pop fans looking for more accessible and affordable ways to connect with idols. According to Seoul-based music critic Kim Do Heon, this accessibility is a key reason for the group’s appeal. “With rising costs of concerts and paid messaging apps, cyber singers like PLAVE make fandom more inclusive,” he explained.
Taiwanese fan Chang Ya Han, 30, discovered PLAVE through Instagram. At a recent fan event in Seoul, she shared, “The love they show, the motivation they give—it’s just like with real idols. I wake up every day wanting to see them.”
Vlast, which calls itself a ‘virtual entertainment’ startup, has already attracted investment from major K-pop players including HYBE and YG Plus. As the K-pop industry continues to embrace technology like AI and the metaverse, PLAVE stands out as a pioneering force.
Looking ahead, Vlast plans to further develop its motion-capture technology, rather than rely on artificial intelligence. “It’s our unique strength,” CEO Lee noted.
With global ambitions and a passionate fan base, PLAVE is reshaping what it means to be a pop idol in the digital age.
with inputs from Reuters
