Netmarble and Kakao Entertainment are partnering up to debut a new girl group made out of artificial intelligence (AI)!
Keep on reading to know more.
Netmarble and Kakao Entertainment to Debut 4-Member AI Girl Group
On October 25, media outlet Bloter reported that Kakao Entertainment and Netmarble, who launched a subsidiary called Metaverse Entertainment back in August to explore virtual entertainers, are currently preparing to debut a new four-member girl group featuring members made out of artificial intelligence (hereafter referred to as AI).
Metaverse Entertainment is said to be focused on the concept of metaverse, a digital reality that integrates virtual and augmented reality to online life to allow users to interact and inhabit a virtual space through avatars.
The company is said to be planning the development of a virtual reality platform that features metaverse-related games, including a game that will allow players to manage virtual idols.
In particular, Kakao Entertainment is said to have acquired around 80,000 stocks in Netmarble's Metaverse Entertainment in line with their partnership to debut a virtual girl group.
"We have established a partnership for the synergy of metahuman technology and entertainment," the two companies said.
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In addition, reports state that their upcoming AI girl group will be gearing towards the global market.
Bloter also reported that the name of the AI girl group will be "MAVE," based on the recent job advertisement posted by Metaverse Entertainment.
Regarding the girl group itself, Metaverse Entertainment will be responsible for planning the group's concept, as well as its members or characters.
While their partner, Kakao Entertainment will be handling the group's marketing, focusing on marketing them globally through prior knowledge regarding the entertainment industry and its infrastructure.
There is also a job post from Metaverse Entertainment which may be related to the AI girl group, in which they are seeking photographers and stylists for female Instagram influencers.
Rise of Virtual Groups
Currently, there is a rise in virtual influencers being used to promote brands and products, such as OnMind's Sua, and Rozy, a virtual human created by Sidus Studio X. Rozy is said to be the first virtual influencer in South Korea, and recently had a commercial for Shinhan Life Insurance.
Virtual influencer Rozy
In particular, Rozy is said to have earned one billion won (around $857,800 USD) by appearing in advertisements for various brands, and have accumulated over 100,000 followers on Instagram.
There are also groups who are going virtual, such as K/DA, a K-Pop inspired girl group with characters from League of Legends as its members, with voices from TWICE and (G)I-DLE members.
Back in 2020, SM Entertainment debuted aespa, whose concept includes virtual AI counterparts for the group's four members.
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As of now, Metaverse Entertainment has not yet released further details regarding the AI girl group, as they are still in the early stages of the project.
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Written by Robyn Joan
