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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Virtual idols hit K-pop scene

Virtual idols hit K-pop scene

Published Oct 8, 2024 08:06 am

At A Glance

  • Its agency, VLAST, announced on Friday that the group's new song, "Would It Have Been Different?" (direct translation), will be released on streaming platforms starting Oct. 13 at 6 p.m.
idols.jpg
Sphaze debuted on Sept. 30 with the album 'Starlight' Courtesy of Oort Entertainment

By Lee Gyu-lee/TheKoreaTimes

A string of virtual K-pop idol groups is set to make their mark on the music scene, with plans to feature in TV series soundtracks and star in mu

sic shows.The virtual boy group, PLAVE, will be featured in the soundtrack for Genie TV's new original series, "Dear Hyeri." 

Its agency, VLAST, announced on Friday that the group's new song, "Would It Have Been Different?" (direct translation), will be released on streaming platforms starting Oct. 13 at 6 p.m.

"The song is a ballad showcasing PLAVE's tender vocals against a backdrop of warm yet melancholic guitar sounds," the agency said in a relesase. "From the restrained arrangement in the first half to the passionate emotions in the latter half, the song captures the feeling of regret throughout."

The romance series follows a struggling announcer, Joo Eun-ho (Shin Hae-sun), who has a contrasting personality as a cheerful parking attendant. When she reunites with her ex-boyfriend of eight years, Jung Hyun-o (Lee Jin-uk), the two ignite a new romance that helps them heal each other's wounds.

PLAVE's new soundtrack will be featured in the upcoming eighth episode, airing on Oct. 7.

The five-member group, known as the first success story of virtual idols, is also set to hold concerts titled “PLAVE FAN CONCERT 'Hello, Asterum!' ENCORE” at Jamsil Arena in Songpa District, Seoul, on Saturday and Sunday. This encore concert follows their first fan concert, “Hello, Asterum!,” which took place on April 13 and 14 at Olympic Hall in Songpa District, Seoul.

Another virtual idol, Sphaze, will make its first appearance on a music show Saturday after releasing its debut album, “Starlight,” on Monday.

The group’s agency, Oort Entertainment, announced that the group will perform the debut album’s title song of the same name on MBC’s “Show! Music Core,” exclusively showcasing the performance for the first time.

“Gearing up for their debut stage on a major broadcaster, Sphaze is set to show off its finely honed skills. They are focusing all their efforts on every aspect of their performance, including vocal abilities, dance, facial expressions, and eye contact,” the agency said in the release.

“Sphaze's ambition to captivate the audience with a perfect stage performance is highly anticipated.”

The five-member group consists of characters from four different webtoons that became hits on KakaoPage and Naver, along with one originally created member.

K-pop virtual solo singer, naevis, will be performing at the opening ceremony of Seoul Design 2024, on Oct. 17.

The festival's organizers announced that they have appointed the singer as the ambassador for this year's fair, scheduled to take place from October 17 to 27 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jung District, Seoul.

"In an era of rapid change that's moving faster than anyone can expect, Seoul Design 2024 will be an opportunity to predict the future," the organization said. "We hope for a lot of interest in this year's event, which will feature naevis, who are set to become the new stars of K-pop."

Naevis is K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment's first virtual artist, which debuted last month with the single "Done."

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