Eternity is a K-pop group that consists of 11 virtual members, each with their own personality and biography. They sing, dance and interact with their fans just like any other band. But none of them are real. They are built using artificial intelligence (AI) technology by Pulse9, a Seoul-based tech start-up.
Eternity debuted in 2021 with their single “I’m Real”, which racked up millions of views online. Since then, they have released several songs, including “DTDTGMGN”, which showcases their improved quality and realism. Their faces are created by deep learning technology, and their voices are generated by AI software. They can also be projected onto anonymous singers, actors and dancers, who lend their talents to their avatar using real-time face-swapping technology.
Eternity’s creator and CEO, Park Ji-eun, believes that AI-generated stars have a significant edge over their real-life counterparts. “The advantage of having virtual artists is that, while K-pop stars often struggle with physical limitations, or even mental distress because they are human beings, virtual artists can be free from these,” she told CNN.
One of the most versatile members of Eternity is Zae-in, who can sing, rap, design and act. She is played by 10 different people, depending on the situation. She also has her own Instagram account, where she posts videos of herself doing various activities, such as riding a longboard or playing with a dog. “Various Zae-ins exist, so our unique advantage is that we can do what one person cannot,” she said in a Zoom interview. “The only thing we cannot do is sign an autograph.”
Aespa: The hybrid K-pop group with virtual counterparts
Eternity is not the only virtual K-pop group in the scene. Aespa, a four-member girl group formed by SM Entertainment, one of the biggest K-pop agencies, also has a virtual twist. Each member has a digital alter ego, called an ae, which stands for avatar x experience. The aes are designed to interact with the members and the fans through a virtual world called KWANGYA.
Aespa debuted in 2020 with their single “Black Mamba”, which introduced the concept of aes and KWANGYA. The song was a hit, breaking the record for the most views for a K-pop debut music video in 24 hours. Since then, Aespa has released more songs that explore the relationship between the members and their aes, such as “Next Level” and “Savage”. The aes also appear in some of the performances and events of Aespa, such as online concerts and fan meetings.
Aespa’s leader, Karina, said that the aes are like their friends and partners. “They are very similar to us, but they have different personalities and charms,” she said in an interview with Billboard. “We communicate with them through our dreams and share our stories and emotions.” She also said that the aes help them express themselves better and connect with the fans more deeply.
The future of virtual K-pop
Eternity and Aespa are not alone in embracing the virtual trend. Many other K-pop groups and agencies are investing in AI, deepfake and avatar technologies to create new forms of entertainment and fan engagement. For example, Blackpink, one of the most popular K-pop groups in the world, collaborated with Zepeto, an app that allows users to create their own 3D avatars, to launch a virtual fan meeting platform. BTS, another global sensation, also partnered with Zepeto to create digital versions of themselves and interact with their fans through various content.
The rise of virtual K-pop bands reflects the changing landscape of the music industry in South Korea and beyond. With the advancement of technology and the demand for more immersive and diverse experiences, K-pop is evolving into a new genre that blurs the boundary between real and virtual entertainment. As Park Ji-eun said: “The business we are making with Eternity is a new business. I think it’s a new genre.”
