Saying hello from Asterum: PLAVE redefines virtual idol with human touch, unique backstory
Quintet releases new album ‘ASTERUM: 134-1’
“
It’s true that we’re a virtual idol group with real actors behind the avatars. But our goal isn’t to
stir up curiosity about their identities.
”
“Since PLAVE is on another planet called Asterum, we’ll be doing the showcase with those of you on Terra (Earth) via video call,” said the emcee who hosted the showcase of virtual K-pop boy group PLAVE at MBC’s Golden Mouth Hall in Mapo District, western Seoul, Monday.
The five virtual humans — Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho and Hamin — appeared on-screen to connect with Earth, sharing their latest music and stories from a world beyond our own.
PLAVE operates on a unique concept that the members from a fictional planet called Caelum were drawn by a mysterious force to another planet, Asterum, where they were able to communicate with Earth, or Terra, as they call it.
On the screen, the group introduced its latest project, its second mini-album, “ASTERUM: 134-1.” The new album’s lead single, “Way 4 Luv,” embodies the group’s signature style, its poignant melody and infectious chorus.
The members of PLAVE were deeply involved in every aspect of the album’s production, from writing lyrics to choreographing dances.
“The album features six tracks that really capture our unique vibe,” Noah said. “We’ve infused various genres with our own special touch, hoping to please fans both at home and abroad.”
PLAVE has already seen success, with its inaugural mini-album, “ASTERUM: The Shape of Things to Come,” surpassing 200,000 sales in its first week and all the songs making their way into the Top 100 chart of local music streaming platform Melon. This is an unprecedented feat for a virtual group.
Yejun, the group’s leader, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support they’ve received.
“Honestly, it still feels like a dream. Every day, I find myself wondering, ‘How are we receiving such an incredible amount of love?’ It really makes me think about how we need to step up our game and give our
fans the absolute best of ourselves.”
Debuted in March 2023, PLAVE is a K-pop boy group that stands out for a unique twist — they’re not humans in the traditional sense.
While the idea of virtual humans may come off as unfamiliar for some, the concept is not entirely foreign in the Korean entertainment landscape. Virtual humans have been making waves as significant YouTube presences, and virtual idol groups, including ISEGYE IDOL, MAVE: and StelLive, have emerged to attest to the trend.
Yet, despite their growing presence, skepticism persists. Some find the emulation of humans by virtual characters uncanny, suggesting a discomforting gap due to technological limitations.
However, PLAVE is challenging these doubts head-on. The group is earning praise for bridging the gap between virtual and human idols by infusing their virtual existence with a distinctly human essence, through both a novel concept and the real-life talent behind their avatars.
One of PLAVE’s strategies involves overcoming spatial limitations by crafting a rich backstory for themselves.
As the group operates within the Asterum alternate universe and relies primarily on livestreaming platforms to engage with fans on Earth, this narrative backdrop clarifies why its members cannot directly interact with fans like other flesh-and-blood K-pop stars.
PLAVE’s appeal isn’t just about its music; it’s also about the characters they’ve crafted.
Each virtual member has a distinct personality, brought to life by reallife performers responsible for each character working behind the scenes.
However, the group’s agency, VLAST Entertainment, remains committed to preserving the mystique by keeping their identities under wraps.
Lee Sung-gu, VLAST’s CEO, emphasized this point at the event, likening PLAVE to Pengsoo, a beloved penguin character whose allure is undiminished by the anonymity of the person beneath the penguin suit.
“It’s true that we’re a virtual idol group with real actors behind the avatars. But our goal isn’t to stir up curiosity about their identities,” Lee clarified.
The focus, he stressed, should be on the characters themselves, not the people behind them.
“As for the real-life identities of PLAVE members, we approach it similarly to Pengsoo. While some may know who’s under the penguin costume, most enjoy Pengsoo as a character, finding entertainment in its persona itself,” Lee added.
PLAVE’s ultimate goal is to normalize the idea of virtual humans as idols, blurring the lines between virtual and traditional entertainment. As they put it, they’re not just a novelty; they’re pioneers of a new era.
“We believe we’re setting a new trend, blending the virtual and reallife idol worlds seamlessly. We want you to see us simply as idols comprising a little more special members,” Eunho asserted.
Noah chimed in, concluding, “As pioneers of this new era in virtual entertainment, I aspire for us to be recognized as a legendary group.”