From PLAVE to ISEGYEIDOL, Virtual Idols Take Center Stage at an Offline Concert

Article published: September 25, 2023

Original source: https://www.sportsq.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=457076#google_vignette

English translation: plaveintl

PLAVE, through "IDOL RADIO LIVE IN SEOUL," performed alongside 12 K-pop artists including Kim Jaejoong, ATEEZ, Lucy, ENHYPEN, Oh My Girl, and even more. This marks the first time domestic virtual idols have ventured onto the offline stage alongside regular artists.

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of MBC radio program "IDOL RADIO," a concert was held at Seoul World Cup Stadium following a previous performance in Japan. 

The show drew nearly 20,000 enthusiastic attendees, igniting a fervent atmosphere. PLAVE, making their first offline stage appearance, received acclaim for ushering in a new horizon in K-pop performances amidst the support of their fans.

PLAVE, which debuted in March, is a five-member male group produced by VLAST, a virtual content company that originated within MBC's corporate structure. The group consists of leader Yejun along with Eunho, Noah, Bamby, and Hamin. 

PLAVE, riding the wave of attention as a virtual idol produced by MBC, made a leap forward and released their mini-album "ASTERUM: The Shape of Things to Come" in August, following "ASTERUM" and "Why?" 

They are currently on a high trajectory. With each album release, they have been taking the stage on "Show! Music Core," contributing to MBC's innovative endeavors.

In particular, this album achieved chart rankings on major music streaming platforms such as Melon, Genie, Bugs, Vibe, and Spotify at the time of its release. 

Among them, it even reached the top spot on Bugs' real-time charts. The popularity of their physical albums is no different. 

According to the Hanteo Chart's weekly chart for the 4th week of September, PLAVE stood shoulder to shoulder with STAYC and ZEROBASEONE at the top. PLAVE's mini-album debut at #1 on the album chart achieved a career-high, with sales exceeding 200,000 copies, more than six times the sales of their previous album, "ASTERUM."

PLAVE's popularity is evolving beyond momentary attention and is forming a strong fandom. 

Their official fan club, PLLI, is unique in that, unlike regular idol fandoms, it brings together fans from various genres, including 2D animations, web novels, webtoons, and internet broadcasts, in line with the group's characteristic as virtual idols.

During Yejun's birthday YouTube live event held on the 12th, fans celebrated his birthday and garnered significant attention by sending nearly 34 million won (approximately $28,600) in donations.

The nationalities of fans who sent donations were diverse, including the United States, Canada, France, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and more. As they are gaining popularity worldwide beyond just within South Korea, it is expected that they will bring winds of significant change to the K-pop landscape.