G-Dragon’s Agency Predicts Robot Idols Will Appear Within 5 Years, Marking an Era of Coexistence Among Real, Virtual, and Robotic Idols

Choi Yong-ho, CEO of Galaxy Corp., G-Dragon’s agency, predicted that “robot idols” could emerge within the next 5 years due to AI technology, leading to an era where real, virtual, and robotic idols coexist. In an interview with CNBC on the 4th, he stated, “Robots represent the next step,” adding that “within 5 years, these three types of idols will exist side by side, and Galaxy Corp. is making extensive preparations for that day.” He forecasted that AI would drive significant cost reductions in music video production, triggering structural changes across the entertainment industry. Explaining further, he said, “We can’t produce a music video for every song, but except for lead singles or Title Tracks, most music videos will be created using AI. Costs will drop while efficiency will rise.” Galaxy Corp. is already advancing AI-based projects. In April, it utilized Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Sora platform to create G-Dragon’s music video “Home Sweet Home.” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described this as an “innovative effort that could redefine the entertainment paradigm.” Choi noted that Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” serves as an example of combining offline performances with virtual experiences, illustrating how the hybrid trend is accelerating. He predicted that the industry will be divided into pre-AI and post-AI phases, signaling the arrival of an “After AI” era in which traditional production methods are largely replaced by AI. The virtual K-POP group PLAVE gained attention recently through its concert in Seoul. All three of its presale concerts were sold out, with approximately 53,000 tickets sold in total. PLAVE attracted around 37,000 attendees, setting a new record for the virtual K-POP industry and demonstrating popularity on par with real K-POP groups. As part of its global expansion strategy, Galaxy Corp. is preparing to open a branch in India and plans to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in the first half of next year. Industry experts believe these moves will position Galaxy Corp. at the forefront of AI-driven entertainment.