Virtual Idol PLAVE Appointed as Seoul’s First Startup Ambassador to Highlight Global K-Content Innovation

The five-member virtual boy group PLAVE, which bridges the virtual world and reality, has been appointed as Seoul’s inaugural “Startup Seoul Ambassador.” On the 12th morning, Seoul City held a ceremony at its city hall to appoint the “2025 Startup Seoul Ambassadors and Try Everything Promotion Team,” selecting PLAVE as the first ambassador in this role. PLAVE is a virtual boy group composed of five members: Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin. Known as an “all-rounder boy group” as all its members handle songwriting, composition, and choreography themselves, it boasts a global fanbase. Since its Debut in 2023, the group has earned recognition for both musical talent and popularity by winning awards at the Golden Disc Awards in January 2025 and the Seoul Music Awards in June 2025, while also surpassing 2 billion cumulative Melon streams. Their Japanese single “Kakurenbo,” released in June, recorded 2.7 million streams on its first day, making it the first Japanese song to enter Melon’s “Hall of Fame.” Starting with a concert in Seoul this month, they are currently holding their Asian tour “DASH: Quantum Leap” in six cities, including Taiwan, Tokyo, and Bangkok. PLAVE’s agency, VLAST, is a Seoul-based startup renowned for its cutting-edge motion-capture-based 3D content creation technology. The combination of VLAST’s technology and PLAVE’s performances is regarded as a prime example of innovation in K-content. Seoul City believes that “PLAVE, with its global fanbase, and VLAST, equipped with digital content production capabilities, form the ideal duo to showcase Seoul’s appeal as a city conducive to entrepreneurship worldwide.” Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated at the appointment ceremony, “This year, Seoul achieved its highest-ever ranking in the global startup ecosystem assessment, coming in 8th in the world.” He added, “To create a city where young people can realize their dreams and take further leaps forward, we will provide comprehensive support—including space allocation, talent development, and regulatory reforms—to establish Seoul as a true leader in entrepreneurship.” A unique feature of the ceremony was the real-time connection between the virtual and real worlds. As Mayor Oh handed over the appointment letter to VLAST CEO Lee Seong-gu, PLAVE’s members received it in real time from the virtual world “Asterum” displayed on a large screen. The group members said, “We are honored to have this opportunity to introduce Seoul’s excellent startup ecosystem to the world, and we will work together with our global fans to widely promote Seoul’s charms.” Seoul City has remained in the TOP10 for two consecutive years in the global startup ecosystem assessment, rising from 9th place last year. It scored 9 points or higher in five out of six evaluation categories, including knowledge accumulation, funding, ecosystem vitality, market entry, creative experience, and talent development. The city plans to leverage PLAVE’s global fanbase and the influence of K-content to expand the brand value of Seoul as a startup city worldwide. At the global startup festival “Try Everything,” held from September 11th to 12th at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), PLAVE will be featured through video broadcasts, along with life-sized cutouts and photo zones designed for visitors to enjoy. The “Try Everything” promotion team was also officially launched during the ceremony, consisting of 100 members including 10 influencers, 60 university student supporters, and 30 foreign student volunteers.