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Virtual Idols Achieving Record-Breaking Success
Virtual boy group PLAVE are setting one record after another, despite strong competition during their releases. In particular, their latest album, “Caligo Pt.1”, has surpassed 1 million physical copies sold on Hanteo within just 1 week of release – an impressive number amid declining physical sales in Korea.
Additionally, songs from PLAVE’s recent albums are ranking high on Korean charts, despite competing against popular idols such as G-Dragon, IVE, BLACKPINK’s Rosé, and aespa. There were even talks that the boy group’s current fandom is as strong as BTS’s back in the day, with various songs surging in digital ranks during late hours.
Previously, in 2024, PLAVE also became the first boy group of the year to top Melon’s Top 100 chart. In fact, historically, only five K-pop boy groups—BTS, BIGBANG, NCT Dream, SEVENTEEN, and EXO—have claimed this No. 1 spot (according to the updated iChart), proving PLAVE’s formidable presence in the digital music scene. Within the same year, PLAVE also became the 2nd boy group after BTS to have back-to-back No. 1 hits on Melon. The group’s streams even surpassed “digital monsters” like NewJeans (now NJZ), proving a huge appeal.
Meanwhile, virtual girl group MAVE also achieved millions of views since its debut in 2023. Their first album, “Pandora’s Box”, amassed over 45 million streams on Spotify (despite including only 2 tracks), while the title “Pandora” garnered 30 million views on YouTube. The song also went viral on short-form video platforms such as TikTok, becoming a trending sound for months to come.
The two groups’ phenomenal popularity confirms the surge of virtual idols in Korea.
The Appeal of Virtual Idols
Virtual idols are stars created through artificial intelligence (AI) technology, designed with human-like appearances, personalities, and activities. With the rapid development of technology, the creation of virtual idols has become a lucrative industry, generating massive revenue.
PLAVE, unlike many other virtual stars, actually includes real people behind virtual sonas, with movements animated using the motion-capture technology. Therefore, they resemble the case of V-Tubers – combining the personalities of real people with 2D designs that appeals to a whole different consumer set.
Meanwhile, MAVE’s appeal extends beyond their music. Fans admire the group’s lifelike personalities, which are as distinct and engaging as those of real idols, ranging from the charismatic leader Siu, the sweet-voiced main vocalist Zena, the fierce “girl crush” rapper Tyra, to the adorable youngest member Marty.
Additionally, Mave impresses with multilingual communication skills. Besides Korean, the virtual idols can interact with fans in Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and more.
Virtual Idols: The Rising Trend in Music
Virtual idols are not just a Korean phenomenon—they are gaining fans globally.
According to a survey by Chinese streaming platform iQIYI, 64% of people aged 14-24 are fans of virtual idols. Respondents cited their preference for virtual idols because they fit their idealized image of perfection.
In fact, these idols are meticulously designed based on extensive research into audience preferences, making their widespread acceptance unsurprising.
One prime example is Hatsune Miku, Japan’s iconic virtual idol, who boasts a catalog of over 100,000 songs. Miku’s anime-inspired appearance has won the hearts of fans in Japan, where manga and anime culture is deeply embedded.
Thanks to advanced 3D technology, virtual idols can perform live concerts without fatigue, making their performances a spectacle that fans eagerly anticipate. Moreover, virtual idols are free from scandals that could ruin their careers. They also maintain an eternally youthful appearance—an advantage in the fiercely competitive entertainment industry.
As technology advances, virtual idols continue to evolve to meet fan expectations. Their rising popularity seems inevitable in today’s digital era.
The Risks of Virtual Idols
Despite their advantages, virtual idols come with risks. In 2022, Carol, a member of the Chinese virtual group A-Soul, suddenly disappeared, leaving fans confused and distressed. The agency behind A-Soul explained that Carol’s departure was due to the real person behind her needing to focus on health and studies.
Carol’s abrupt exit left fans disheartened. Many assumed that virtual idols could not be “deleted” and could simply be replaced. However, the reality is that virtual idols do not control their own fate—they can be erased at any time.
This raises concerns about the emotional investment fans place in virtual idols, as sudden disappearances can lead to disappointment and heartbreak.
