The virtual idol group PLAVE has been appointed as the first-ever “Startup Seoul Ambassador.” (Image courtesy of VLAST)
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – In a groundbreaking move, the virtual idol group PLAVE has been appointed as the first-ever “Startup Seoul Ambassador,” the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday.
The appointment ceremony, held at Seoul City Hall, marks a strategic effort to enhance the global visibility of Seoul’s startup ecosystem.
PLAVE, a five-member virtual boy group consisting of Ye-jun, Noa, Bambi, Eun-ho, and Ha-min, is known for its cutting-edge use of motion capture technology and 3D content creation.
The group, signed under BLAST, a Seoul-based startup specializing in motion capture and 3D content, has made waves in the music industry. Their debut single, “Kakurenbo,” released in June 2025, achieved a remarkable 2.7 million streams on its first day and was the first Japanese song to enter Melon’s “Hall of Fame.”
The appointment comes after Seoul was ranked 8th in the “Best Cities to Start a Business” global evaluation by Startup Genome in June 2025. With PLAVE’s global fanbase and the rising influence of K-content, the city hopes to use the group’s popularity to promote Seoul’s dynamic startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem abroad.
(Image courtesy of VLAST)
The ceremony featured a unique virtual experience where Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon handed the ambassadorial certificate to BLAST’s CEO, while PLAVE members, appearing in the virtual world Asterium, received the certificate in real time on a large screen.
Expressing their excitement, the PLAVE members stated, “We are honored to have the chance to showcase Seoul’s outstanding startup ecosystem to the world and spread the charm of Seoul with our global fans.”
In addition to their ambassadorial role, PLAVE will be featured at the upcoming Try Everything Global Startup Festival, held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on September 11-12, 2025.
As part of their promotion, PLAVE’s video will be broadcast, and photo zones will be set up to engage festival-goers. The ambassadorial campaign also sees the official launch of the Try Everything promotion team, which includes influencers, university supporters, and international student volunteers.
The Seoul government plans to leverage PLAVE’s global influence to boost the city’s brand as a startup hub, driving awareness of its innovative business landscape internationally.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
