The virtual idol group PLAVE has recently solidified its position as a K-pop artist by topping domestic music charts. They are preparing for a performance at Gocheok Dome just two years after their debut, marking a monumental achievement in breaking down the boundaries between reality and virtuality.

PLAVE's second single, "PLBBUU," reached the top of the music charts immediately after its release. The title track "BBUU!" is an easy-listening song that blends R&B rhythms with cute lyrics. On the day of its release, the 10th, it entered Melon's Top 100 chart at 7 p.m. By midnight on the 11th, it had claimed the number one spot on the Hot 100 chart. The included tracks "Bongsunga" and "Hide and Seek" also ranked 2nd and 4th respectively, dominating the upper ranks of the charts.

PLAVE's growth rate is steep. Within one year of their debut, their second mini-album "Asterum:134-1" surpassed 570,000 copies in initial sales, and a year later, they exceeded one million copies, entering the "million-seller" category. They are also making a mark in the global market. Their debut single in Japan, "かくれんぼ (Kakurenbo)," released last June, ranked high on major local music platforms, securing a fanbase in Japan. The Korean version, "Hide and Seek," released afterward, was equally loved both domestically and internationally.

Notably, the new single "PLBBUU" expanded PLAVE's unique worldview by targeting global fans' tastes through a special collaboration with Sanrio Korea. PLAVE will hold the "2025 PLAVE Asia Tour DASH: Quantum Leap Encore" at Gocheok Dome in Seoul on the 21st and 22nd. This is the first instance of a virtual idol holding a solo concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in Korea.

As the final stage and conclusion of their first Asia tour, expectations among fans are high. Upon opening, fan access continued steadily, with peak traffic reaching approximately 530,000 calls. All seats for the second show were sold out, and despite the fan club pre-sale allowing only one ticket per person, there was significant interest. Following the Seoul concert held at Olympic Park KSPO Dome last August, which sold out all three shows through fan club pre-sales alone, tickets for Gocheok Sky Dome also sold out quickly.

PLAVE is dominating real-world charts and selling out actual concert venues as a virtual idol, bringing a new paradigm shift to the K-pop market. An industry insider commented, "PLAVE's popularity goes beyond mere novelty; it stems from authentic narratives and interaction with fans. Through the virtual format, they genuinely realize the essence of idols. Their journey, breaking down the boundaries between reality and virtuality, is both an experiment and an evolution that redefines the future of K-pop."

PLAVE is expected to continue presenting new possibilities for K-pop alongside their global activities. They are establishing themselves as artists who will lead the future of K-pop with original content while strengthening communication with their fans.