Galaxy Corporation and Nomad Entertainment Lead Expansion of Virtual Idol Market

The K-pop industry is expanding beyond music and technology into new domains. Galaxy Corporation held auditions at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles to develop virtual K-pop groups, while Nomad Entertainment is testing the possibilities of a new idol system through its virtual idol band NTAKE. Galaxy Corporation’s auditions are characterized by an approach that differs from traditional practices in the K-pop industry. GK (Gyuhyuk Song), the head of IP music at Galaxy Corporation, explained, “Unlike traditional idol auditions, there are no restrictions based on age, nationality, or genre. We prioritize creativity, emotional honesty, and the ability to communicate with fans.” Since avatars are created using motion capture technology, ability and expressiveness take precedence over visual conditions. GK’s idea for this project originated from a question he posed during his 12 years at SM Entertainment: “Can artists truly exist forever?” This project aims to create idol groups that can last longer than the typical seven-year contract period. Galaxy Corporation stated, “We will cultivate artists who can freely move between the physical and virtual worlds by maintaining traditional idol training as a core element while integrating new elements such as digital performances in virtual spaces and fan interactions.” Nomad Entertainment’s NTAKE project is also underway in this same context. The company’s representatives, Cho Dong-won and Lee Jae-suk, said, “Virtual idol bands will create a new way of communicating with fans beyond just music.” NTAKE plans to interact with fans through stories and music and present new forms of performances on virtual stages. The feasibility of these projects is increasing thanks to the involvement of Copan Global, a company offering one-stop K-pop solutions. Cho Sung-hee, the representative of Copan Global, expressed optimism, saying, “Nomad Entertainment’s virtual idol band will bring new enjoyment to fans, and Copan Global’s 20 years of experience and expertise will create significant synergy for the band’s growth.” Goods, events, and interactive content designed for global fans to participate in are also being prepared for NTAKE. The virtual idol market in K-pop has already proven its success. Various forms of virtual content, from existing virtual idol groups such as HUNTR/X and Saja Boys that topped charts to aespa’s “ae” avatar and the motion capture virtual group PLAVE, have all achieved success. The expansion of these projects shows that technological integration in the music industry is not a choice but an essential strategy.