This photo provided by Sidus Studio X shows virtual model Rozy.
SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – Virtual humans are sweeping through multiple industries including content creation, gaming and even finance.
Rozy, a virtual influencer and model, has shot various advertisements for hotels, electric vehicles, fashion brands and even environmental campaigns. It is estimated that Rozy has earned as much as 1 billion won (US$864,300) solely from ads.
Virtual influencers are also hosting home shopping programs on television. Lotte Homeshopping, for one, developed a virtual model Lucy through its metaverse project.
Game developer Netmarble Corp. established Metaverse Entertainment through a subsidiary to promote virtual idols and celebrities. Smilegate unveiled a virtual celebrity Han Yua who will debut as an actress and a singer.
Entertainment giant CJ ENM teamed up with AFUN Interactive, a real-time 3D content production studio, to develop a virtual celebrity for the global market.
“Those in the MZ generation grew up with virtual spaces and are more open to accepting virtual celebrities,” said Jung Duk-hyun, a pop culture critic.
Virtual influencers and celebrities are not restrained by time or space, especially during the pandemic.
“In the upcoming era of metaverses, new business opportunities will arise as connections develop from real-world fandoms, virtual space and virtual human intellectual property (IP) to the actual artist,” an industry source said.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
