Afun Interactive is a South Korean startup founded in 2017 that develops digital humans for use in real-time 3D rendering, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms, and AI-based media. It is best known for creating the virtual artist APOKI, a highly popular virtual influencer recognized as the top digital human in Korea by VirtualHumans.org. The company has received significant investment, including ?5 billion (around USD 4 million), to expand its dedicated digital human studio, hire technical staff, and support global content production. Afun Interactive’s digital humans are applied across entertainment, metaverse platforms, and live character performances. The company was also selected by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT for its achievements in national R&D. Its core technologies include high-quality real-time 3D rendering and AI-based character animation.
ArtistChai is a South Korean company operating under the brand CHAI Meta Universe XR, which focuses on digital humans, including virtual idols and AI-based media integration. It is notably involved in the production and promotion of the virtual idol group MAVE:, which debuted in 2023. The company is expanding its business scope by combining its core operations with AI, digital humans, and outdoor advertising technologies. Job listings and public reports indicate a strong focus on animation and digital human video production, and the company uses various terms such as digital human, virtual human, meta-human, and cyber-human to describe its work in the immersive media space.
Cutting Edge Inc. is a South Korean company expanding into the virtual human management and production sector. Led by CEO Park Min Kyun, the company originally focused on advertising, film, and video content but has more recently embraced the growing trend of virtual human technologies. According to public filings and interviews, Cutting Edge is involved in projects related to AI-generated media and digital human platforms, and it has appeared in business reports and disclosure systems such as KRX KIND. The company also engages in partnerships with early-stage investors like SpringCamp and is positioning itself as a player in the evolving digital and immersive media industry.
AI Studios is a text-to-video generation platform developed by DeepBrain AI, a company specializing in AI-powered content creation. Based in Palo Alto, California, with a development presence in South Korea, AI Studios allows users to create high-quality, realistic videos by converting text into speech and visuals using over 2,000 AI avatars and support for more than 150 languages. Features include custom avatars, AI dubbing, instant scene editing, and API integration for enterprise solutions. The platform supports both individual creators and large-scale commercial applications and is available through web, mobile app, and cloud platforms such as AWS. AI Studios has been positively reviewed for its intuitive interface, high production quality, and flexibility in creating personalized, scalable video content.
dobStudio is a South Korean company specializing in the creation of digital humans and AI-powered virtual beings. Known for developing the popular virtual human Rui, dobStudio operates across metaverse content production, AI character development, and storytelling applications. The studio uses deep learning and generative AI technologies to produce hyper-realistic avatars and provides both web/app services and custom virtual human solutions for brands and platforms. It has participated in public-private tech exhibitions, collaborated on virtual influencer campaigns, and is a member of the Korea Artificial Intelligence Association. The company has also launched large-scale projects like RuiCovery and co-hosted events such as the “Blue Snake AI Art Contest.” CEO Oh Je Wook leads the studio from its headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
DoubleMe is a South Korean startup specializing in holographic and XR (extended reality) technologies, with a focus on real-time 3D content and digital human applications. The company is known for developing the TwinWorld platform, which creates a mirror world metaverse integrating physical and virtual spaces. DoubleMe’s technology supports high-fidelity hologram streaming, digital human interaction, and immersive environments for enterprise and consumer use. It has received investment from major firms like Samsung Electronics and has been active in government-backed initiatives to promote the metaverse industry. CEO Heekwan Kim has emphasized the role of digital humans and AI-driven platforms in building realistic, interactive virtual ecosystems. DoubleMe has also participated in conferences such as XMC FALL 2023, highlighting its leadership in bridging real-world and virtual experiences through digital human innovations.
ESTsoft is a South Korean AI and software company that has developed a comprehensive digital human platform under the brand PERSO.ai. Their offerings include Perso Studio and Perso Live, which enable the creation and deployment of conversational AI humans integrated with technologies like ChatGPT. These AI humans can serve as tutors, hosts, interpreters, and fitness coaches, supporting multilingual speech, real-time video synthesis, and personalized avatars. ESTsoft's digital human solutions are used across industries, including education, finance, broadcasting, and marketing. The company has partnered with major institutions such as Microsoft and YBM and has created well-known virtual figures like "AI anchor Park Eun-bo" and "AI persona Kim Iso." ESTsoft’s technology combines facial synthesis, voice generation, and natural language processing to deliver highly interactive virtual beings for both enterprise and consumer use.
EVR Studio is a South Korean company specializing in hyper-realistic digital human technology, metaverse content, and AAA console game development. Known for its proprietary techniques in facial and motion capture, the studio produces digital humans by both scanning real individuals and generating them with AI. It gained attention for creating a digital version of actor Heo Sung-tae for its flagship game project "Project TH" (also referred to as "Project Mudang"), based on a popular webtoon. EVR Studio is also involved in XR content and virtual environments and has developed virtual characters like "Sira" using its in-house face generation technology. The company is a member of the Metaverse Alliance and has presented at global tech events including SIGGRAPH.
FXGear is a South Korean company specializing in digital human technology, particularly through the integration of AR, VR, and XR platforms. It develops hyper-realistic digital humans using 3D scanning, real-time rendering, and motion capture, applying these technologies across entertainment, education, and healthcare sectors. Notable projects include "Narang," a real-time interactive digital idol platform, and "Digital Doctor," which enables patient consultations with virtual physicians in metaverse environments. FXGear has also produced digital versions of K-pop stars like SF9's Rowoon. The company is active in global markets, has received significant funding, and is preparing for an IPO. FXGear also continues to develop CG software and immersive content solutions for the broader metaverse ecosystem.
Galaxy Corporation is a South Korean “Entertech” company headquartered in Seoul, operating under the domain galaxyuniverse.ai. Founded in 2019, it develops entertainment-focused AI, metaverse, and digital human technologies, branding itself as a bridge between advanced technology and cultural content. The company manages major celebrity intellectual property, most prominently G-Dragon, who joined as its flagship artist, and actor Song Kang-ho, who became its first official actor signing. Galaxy runs platforms such as the official G-Dragon fan community gdragon.ai, uses AI-driven media studios to produce interactive content, and promotes “SUPER IP” strategies that merge real and virtual identities across music, fashion, and digital fan engagement.