The future of K-pop - virtual girl bands

"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" - says Park Jieun, the woman behind K-pop girl band Eternity. There are 11 members in the band, all of them virtual characters. Since releasing their debut single I'm Real in 2021, K-pop girl group Eternity have racked up millions of views online, BBC reports. There's a girl band aespa with four human singers and dancers - Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning, and their four virtual counterparts known as ae-Karina, ae-Winter, ae-Giselle and ae-Ningning. During the Covid-19 pandemic, K-pop group Billlie had to cancel their live performances. In order to throw a party for fans in the virtual world, the band's management company created virtual copies of band members. At least four of K-pop's biggest entertainment companies are investing heavily in virtual elements for their stars, and five of the top-earning K-pop groups of 2022 are getting in on the trend.