Is there a new type of concert on the rise?
A new trend in concert technology is gaining attention as holographic shows are beginning to become more common for K-pop artists.
Fans are flocking to various theaters around Seoul and other major cities in Asia to get a glimpse of their favorite idols dominating the stage as full, life-sized holograms. The trend of holographic is continuing to thrive as more people are able to attend the shows, according to Mashable.
Each concert costs around $30 per ticket making it significantly less than a true live concert. The small scale concerts usually max at about 350 people compared to the regular stadium that easily sit over 10,000. Holographic concerts also allow for special effects to be added to each performance for extra flare that one couldn’t see normally.
Holographic concerts provide a more accessible outlet for avid K-pop fans as multiple venues are scattered Seoul rather than only one central location. On Feb 9 and 10, fans gathered to see JYJ member, Kim Jaejoong’s own hologram concert in Tokyo which attracted 10,500 people. The concert lasted over 90 minutes and the holographic artist performed songs from his latest album ‘NO.X’.
SM Entertainment mega-stars, TVXQ, held their own series of hologram concerts throughout late December and early January. As the duo was serving their mandatory enlistment time, their 12th debut anniversary was celebrated as a hologram concert in the SMTOWN Coex Artium. SM Entertainment has been upping the holographic gram having held hologram concerts, runways and even musicals. Other major labels including YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment have jumped on the holographic bandwagon with their artists as well.
This trend may come in handy as fans can still see their favorite boy groups’ rock the stage even while away during their mandatory military service. The hologram concerts are held quite frequently, at least seven times a day.
South Korea isn’t the only place one can view a hologram concert; Singapore has begun their own foray into the trend with a theatre currently fit for 100 fans. Hologram artists were also used at the 2012 Coachella concert in the US.
Do you think hologram concerts have potential? Or can nothing compare to the live experience?
