The competition in the K-pop industry is escalating rapidly. Simply being associated as a ‘sibling group of XYZ’ is no longer sufficient. Capturing attention even before debuting has become essential, leading to a surge of rookies ready to leave their mark. From exciting virtual idols to fresh girl groups, the anticipation is palpable.
From the Virtual to the Real World: Nævis, Emerging from aespa’s Universe
Nævis, once an ally in aespa’s fictional universe, is now stepping into reality as SM Entertainment’s first official virtual artist. This groundbreaking idol remains composed regardless of the intensity of her performances, having gained fame three years prior. As a consistent supporter within aespa’s universe, she has now made her grand debut with the backing of K-pop juggernaut aespa.
Nævis plays a pivotal role in the intricate story of aespa. To truly grasp her significance, understanding aespa’s universe is essential. She first caught attention with the phrase “Nævis calling,” featured in Aespa’s hit track “Next Level.”
As the first K-pop girl group to incorporate avatar members alongside real-world performers, aespa comprises eight members—four real members (Karina, Winter, Giselle, Ningning) and four virtual counterparts (known as “ae-Aespa”). Nævis serves as a bridge between these realms. In her fictional narrative, she endured punishment from the gods, confined in “The Flat,” where she watched over the wilderness of “Kwangya.” Defying divine orders, she escaped and rescued aespa from the “Black Mamba,” all while aiming for her ultimate goal of entering the “real world.” This context marks the foundation of Nævis’s debut storyline.
Nævis’s narrative, set in motion three years ago, launches officially with her song “Done,” capturing her pursuit of liberation from previous constraints. An SM official remarked, ” ‘Done’ signifies Nævis’s initial stride forward. The track’s mysterious ambiance, combined with grand synthesizer elements, mirrors her resolve to step into a new realm.” The lyrics convey her journey towards her own world, emphasizing her forward momentum upon completing a chapter (Done).
Nævis stunned audiences with her surprise debut at aespa’s second solo concert in June, with more related content expected to follow soon. Despite curiosity surrounding Nævis’s real-life persona, the likelihood of her being revealed diminishes as her voice is generated through AI voice technology, akin to senior virtual artist PLAVE.
Two Weeks Before Nævis’s Debut: The Introduction of New Virtual Idol Group AEONIT
Just two weeks prior to Nævis’s debut, a new virtual idol group named AEONIT made its entrance. Comprising five members (Saebyeok, Chanyu, Leon, Yuan, Wooju), AEONIT debuted with their single “LUMOS,” symbolizing brightness and connection through meeting one another. Their concept centers around the theme of “youth” as the five members embark on a journey of growth together.
As a self-produced group, every member of AEONIT contributes to their music. Notable figures like Nam Woo-hyun from INFINITE and Lee Jae-jun from TAN have been involved in composing and lyric writing, along with ONF’s Wyatt. AEONIT was developed by Onmind, a firm specializing in virtual humans, previously known for creating virtual human Na Sua.
The Launch of ‘Teddy’s Girl Group’ MEOVV May Ignite a New Girl Group Battle
MEOVV comprises five members (Sooin, Gawon, Anna, Narin, and Ella) and marks the first girl group from The Black Label. Given The Black Label’s ties to YG and Teddy’s critical role in BLACKPINK’s success, the anticipation for this ‘Teddy’s girl group’ has been significant since its inception.
The group’s debut track “MEOW” features a catchy bass melody, with Teddy contributing to the lyrics. His influence resonates through the group’s music, visuals, and performances. According to member Gawon, “Teddy producer is attentive to even the smallest details we might have overlooked. He engages with us on every aspect, and his feedback always inspires us.” The members shared that their debut song illustrates MEOVV’s diverse identity.
MEOVV aims to be a leading representative of the 5th generation, with Ella confidently stating, “Each of us possesses unique strengths, and our combined charisma is unparalleled.” Anna added, “We hope the name ‘MEOVV’ will evoke a strong impression. We aspire to make a lasting impact as a team.”
Facing formidable competition, MEOVV is set to contend against another 7-member girl group, izna, formed through Mnet’s “I-Land 2” and also under Teddy’s production. With a dedicated fanbase established through the show, their debut could significantly impact the K-pop landscape in the latter half of the year.
The most formidable contender will likely be SM’s new girl group, which is shrouded in mystery, showing no details about members or the debut timeline following aespa’s success. This group is anticipated to debut around year-end or early next year, paving the way for a three-way battle involving MEOVV, izna, and themselves, following the success trails laid by industry leaders like NewJeans, IVE, and LE SSERAFIM.
Source: Daum
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