Meet Mave:, the AI-powered K-pop girl group that look almost human and speak four languages
- The four-member virtual K-pop girl group Mave: have already racked up 20 million views for their debut single ‘Pandora’
- The group represent a serious push by tech giant Kakao, the project’s backers, to become a dominant force in entertainment
Less than two months ago, the first music video by South Korean girl quartet Mave: went viral, racking up nearly 20 million views on YouTube and setting the stage for potential global success.
At first glance, Mave: looks like any other idolised K-pop band – except it only exists virtually. Its four members – Siu, Zena, Tyra and Marty – live in the metaverse, their songs, dances, interviews and even their hairstyles created by web designers and artificial intelligence.
“When I first saw Mave:, it was a little confusing to tell whether they were humans or virtual characters,” says Han Su-min, a 19-year-old in Seoul.
“Because I use metaverse platforms with my friends often, I feel like I could become their fan.”
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Virtual South Korean K-pop girl group MAVE: gives a glimpse into the future of the metaverse
The group’s almost humanlike avatars provide an early glimpse of how the metaverse is likely to evolve as South Korea’s entertainment and tech industries join hands in the fledgling technology.