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| Virtual K-pop girl group MAVE: makes its debut, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Netmarble |
By Baek Byung-yeul
Netmarble's affiliate launched brand new K-pop girl group MAVE:, comprised of four virtual humans, Wednesday.
The game company said Metaverse Entertainment, its affiliate specialized in metaverse-related businesses, debuted MAVE: which released its debut mini-album "Pandora's box" and single "Pandora" at 6 p.m. on music streaming services.
MAVE: has four virtual humans as its members. They are SIU:, ZENA:, TYRA: and MARTY:. Along with the new album, MAVE: also unveiled a music video for "Pandora."
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| Virtual K-pop girl group MAVE: / Courtesy of Netmarble |
Netmarble said SIU: is the leader and main vocalist, while ZENA: is the lead vocalist, TYRA: serves as the main performer and rapper and MARTY: is the second rapper.
Netmarble said the virtual K-pop girl group was created based on the concept that the members come from the future in search of freedom to express their emotions. The group's name is a portmanteau of "Make New Wave," as the girl group aims to create a new wave in the K-pop scene.
The debut album features two songs: "Pandora" and "Wonderland."
"'Pandora's box' is an album that announces the special journey of four members who are trying to change their future," an official of Metaverse Entertainment said.
This is not the first time for a game company to make a foray into the entertainment business with virtual characters.
As virtual humans created based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology have become popular, many IT companies have attempted to enter the entertainment and media businesses with their virtual humans, but there have been no clear success cases so far.
However, MAVE: has gained attention before making its debut, as the group was jointly designed by Metaverse Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment, an entertainment, media and publishing affiliate of internet company Kakao.
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