The Rise of Virtual Idols: PLAVE Takes Seoul by Storm with Digital Concerts

Time of India

5 days ago

The five-member virtual idol group PLAVE
The Craziest Seats in Seoul Aren't Even for Real People
It's a sizzling August in Seoul. Outside KSPO Dome, crowds are buzzing-but not for BTS or EXO. Instead, 15,000 seats vanish in seconds for not one, not two, but three consecutive concerts.
The artist? A five-member virtual boy band, PLAVE, not made of flesh and bone, but code and pixels. When tickets dropped, more than 30,000 fans crashed the system.
But if you think this is a one-off digital dream, think again. Last year, PLAVE packed Seoul's Olympic Hall twice-every seat gone. Light sticks blinked, placards waved, and cheers burst out for avatars singing and dancing across giant screens. Fans swooned as the digitized members posed for selfies and charmed the audience, providing an uncanny experience: "It didn't feel any different from a regular concert.
With all the special effects, it was like they were really there," recalls Kim, 30, an avid fan.
From Seoul to the World (Virtually, Of Course)
PLAVE isn't just stopping at Seoul. They're ready for their first Asia tour: bags packed (digitally), heading to Taipei, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Tokyo. Since debuting in March 2023, PLAVE's YouTube videos have raked in a jaw-dropping 539 million views-that's over 53 crore!
Their popularity isn't some startup daydream.
They've appeared on live music broadcasts and planned a bold world tour, moves usually reserved for groups with armies of die-hard fans. Now, fans everywhere can experience the "perfect idol" - one that never ages, never misses a note, and is always insta-ready.
Not Just a Fad: The Rise of Virtual Idols
So why is everyone, from teenagers to office workers, obsessed with digital pop stars? It's more than just novelty. At a recent showcase in Seoul's CGV Yongsan Mall, rookie virtual idol Moon Bona performed live-all to a full house.
She introduced herself, answered questions, and spun a wheel for surprises-all in real time, thanks to high-level motion capture tech.
These digital darlings mirror every move and facial expression of their human creators using AI and XR wizardry. From hand hearts to snappy footwork and perfectly synced voices, fans say these avatars make concerts feel
realer than real.
One fan gushed, "It's like actually talking to your idol and feeling noticed."
And then, there's perfection. Virtual idols don't get entangled in scandals, dating rumors, or awkward PR disasters. They belong to a universe where the laws of reality don't apply-no vocal rest, no bad hair days, just endless energy and flawless performances.
Technology + Fans = The Perfect Dream Team
Virtual idols don't just perform-they interact. PLAVE and others host live variety shows, camping trips, and even reply to fan comments in real time. Digital girl group ISEGYE IDOL held a meet-and-greet
inside
the metaverse, so anyone could join-no passport required.
Many of these idols are the brainchildren of AI and computer graphics companies eager to show off their latest tricks. PLAVE, for example, was created by Vlast, while more traditional giants like KPLUS (part of YG Entertainment) have jumped in with their own virtual models.
Sure, fangirling over fictional idols isn't new-look at the stunning success of KPop Demon Hunters, an animated film that recently topped Netflix's global charts.
But here's what makes virtual idols special: ask them if they've had lunch, and you might get "Yes, I had kimchi stew" as a reply-in real time.
As Lee Eun-hee, a consumer studies professor at Inha University, says, "If virtual idols keep up meaningful interaction, they can absolutely become a lasting phenomenon." For some fans, imagining who's behind the avatar is "more fun than real life." And for now? In Seoul, Mumbai, and all across Asia, the lines between reality and fantasy (and fandom) have never been more electric.