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**How virtual K-POP artist APOKI will grow [SMS “EMBARK” report]**
On March 1st, a company presentation ” EMBARK ” was held by Sony Music Solutions (SMS) . This is a business event where various solutions provided by the company for the entertainment industry are exhibited and introduced.
The MoguLive editorial department covered the local venue of “EMBARK” this time. In this article, we will cover one of the sessions held at the event, “Virtual K-POP artist ‘APOKI’ and IP development aimed at”.
*How will APOKI grow? Interview with CEO of management company AFUN Interactive*
Virtual K-POP artist APOKI is attracting attention for his high-quality songs and videos . Now, she is expanding her range of activities not only in Korea but also all over the world.
SMS acquired APOKI’s agent rights a year ago. SML Management is also cooperating to support APOKI’s overseas expansion. In the session “Virtual K-POP artist ‘APOKI’ and IP development aimed at”, in addition to the person in charge of SMS, Mr. Kwon Do Kwun, CEO of AFUN Interactive in South Korea, who is the management of APOKI, took the stage. APOKI explained the development so far.
AFUN Interactive was established in 2017. Originally, it started with the production of 3D content using real-time rendering and the development and provision of motion capture technology for virtual humans. However, from there, he established his own studio in 2019, and APOKI started activities in the same year. Since then, he has been involved in the development of his own IP, and explained the history.
Mr. Kwon Do Kwun described the IP they are working on as “an IP with a soul” and described the company as “a company that puts life into the IP by balancing technology and humanities.” Such IP deployment has something close to VTuber. During the session, the moderator actually asked Mr. Kwon Do Kwun, “What do you think about the VTuber scene in Japan?” I respect that,â? he said.
Also, to the question, “Are (AFUN) moving forward in the future that we envisioned?” Technological trends such as AI and web3 are rapidly changing and making great leaps, but he showed his company’s stance of focusing on the essence of IP, saying, “Don’t be overwhelmed by technology, and have a proper philosophy.”
The second half of the session introduced the following virtual entertainment artists who will be ‘followers of APOKI’. Although the details were not revealed, the slide shows the name “PROJECT DOMINATION” and 3D characters with various designs. Concepts such as “Avatar moves with camera and PC” and “Aiming for AI virtual character in the future” were also discussed.
At the end of the session, APOKI’s future plans were touched upon, and the music video for their 5th single “Mood V5”, which was announced on February 27th, was screened. It was a valuable opportunity to hear the convictions in developing a virtual IP from the management side of APOKI, which has few opportunities to contact from within Japan.