The Kpop group Eternity appears similar to any other; they possess the ability to sing, dance, and rap while maintaining a cute image. However, what sets them apart is that artificial intelligence created the group, including their leader, Zae-in. According to CNN, the only thing they cannot do is sign autographs. As technology continues to evolve with generative AI, virtual reality, and blockchains becoming part of our daily lives, it is no surprise that the entertainment industry is also being transformed. Eternity is just one of the first AI Kpop groups that blend the real and the virtual. If you take a closer look, you’ll see that the tech revolution in entertainment is growing. This article will explore how companies create AI Kpop groups and the other technological advancements in the entertainment industry.
To bring Eternity to “life,” tech company Pulse9 utilized unique faces generated by AI. These faces were divided into four groups: “innocent,” “cute,” “intelligent,” and “sexy.” Based on the results of an online survey, they narrowed down the selection to 11 members. Motion capture and deepfake technology were then employed to create the AI Kpop group’s first music video in 2021, ironically titled “I’m Real.” The video received mixed reactions, with many social media users noting that the members’ facial expressions appeared unnatural and their bodies seemed disconnected. This created the “uncanny valley” effect, which is the feeling of discomfort when encountering human-like objects. However, people’s perceptions changed when Pulse9 released another music video for Eternity’s song “No Filter.” It became evident that the group was almost indistinguishable from real artists. The most popular comment on YouTube stated, “I’m surprised how realistic they sound, and the visuals look more realistic than the debut song.”
In October 2023, Eternity showcased another significant improvement in quality with their music video for “DTDTGMGN.” A top comment noted, “If you didn’t tell me this was an AI group, I’d think this was a heavily filtered MV [music video]. This MV and song are much better than the debut.” Pulse9’s CEO mentioned that until recently, only the face of the performer was virtual, but now, they can create full-body images using AI technology. It’s worth mentioning that Pulse9 composed “No Filter” using AI, although humans were responsible for editing the song and writing the lyrics. Another agency, Metaverse Entertainment, introduced another AI Kpop group called MAVE. Unlike Eternity, the members of MAVE were entirely computer-generated through CGI.
Apart from AI Kpop groups, South Korea has previously explored alternative forms of pop music using technology. For instance, the 2018 League of Legends World Championship featured a virtual girl group called K/DA. The group consists of League of Legends characters portrayed by real artists. In that event, Miyeon, Soyeon, Madison Beer, and Jaira Burns performed live alongside holographic avatars of their respective virtual characters, Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa. Additionally, the first-ever cryptocurrency girl group, TripleS, made its Southeast Asian debut at Philippine Blockchain Week. This group utilizes blockchain technology to enhance fan engagement, allowing fans to vote on the group’s future actions using the Polygon blockchain and the digital token COMO.
In conclusion, South Korea has introduced AI Kpop groups that are nearly indistinguishable from human artists. While some people express concerns that this may reduce opportunities for aspiring singers and dancers, Pulse9’s CEO believes that fans will always prefer human artists. He compares the emergence of AI to the invention of photography in the 19th century, stating that despite the advent of photography, painters still exist. He believes that BTS, a popular human Kpop group, will not be threatened by virtual idols and sees AI Kpop groups as merely new content.
