A new trend in K-pop is emerging around virtual idols. The song ″Golden,″ which topped both Billboard’s Hot 100 and the UK’s Official Singles Top 100, is performed by the virtual girl group HUNTR/X from the Netflix animated film ″K-Pop Demon Hunters.″ This highlights the growing global popularity of virtual idols.

On the 15th, the virtual idol group PLAVE held a concert at the KSPO Dome in Seoul Olympic Park, marking a significant milestone as the first virtual idol group to perform in a venue renowned as a mecca for K-pop artists. This concert kicked off their ″2025 PLAVE Asia Tour,″ which will continue in cities such as Taipei, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Tokyo.

PLAVE, a five-member group that debuted in 2023, has quickly established itself as a leading force in the virtual idol scene. Their mini-album ″Caligo Pt. 1,″ released in March, achieved impressive initial sales of 1,038,308 copies in its first week, making them the first virtual idol group to surpass one million copies sold. They also became the first virtual idol group to enter Billboard’s ″Global 200″ chart. During pre-sales for their KSPO Dome concert, a waiting list of 30,724 people was created, leading to a sell-out of all three performances.

Once considered a niche segment, virtual idols are now at the forefront of popular culture. Their remarkable musical talent and engaging stage presence are fostering strong connections with fans. Utilizing Unreal Engine and real-time motion capture technology for live broadcasts, they also post ″challenge″ videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok to further engage their audience.

From a creator’s standpoint, virtual idols present advantages such as lower investment costs and the ability to produce diverse content without the limitations of physical space and time. This has prompted major entertainment companies to rapidly enter the virtual idol market.

SM Entertainment and HYBE are intensifying their efforts in this area. SM introduced the virtual singer Navis last September, and the group is active across various platforms, serving as promotional ambassadors and advertising models. They recently released their new song ″Sensitive″ on the 7th.

After acquiring the AI audio company Supertone, HYBE announced the four-member virtual girl group Synthe8 in June of last year. Synthe8 is set in a virtual world called ″Nancy Land,″ where the members’ voices play a pivotal role in shaping the environment.

The rise of virtual idols is ushering in a new era for K-pop, blurring the lines between virtual and traditional idols and solidifying their status as a vital component of popular culture.