According to THIS small/medium-sized label, its boy group received investments from companies including HYBE and YG Plus to support its global expansion.

On April 22, a press conference was held with Lee Seong Gu, the CEO of VLAST, a virtual IP startup that is also the label of the virtual idol group, PLAVE.

On this day, he talked about the current success of the boy group in South Korea as well as its plan to expand its activities internationally.

CEO Lee Confirms Company Received Investment From HYBE, YG + Refutes Bigger Company Will Take Over Control of VLAST

During the presscon, CEO Lee Seong Gu revealed that PLAVE's biggest goal is to expand overseas. With their rising fame, there are speculations that the boy group's company will be acquired by a bigger label to achieve this.

In light of this, Lee clarified:

"It is true that we recently received investment from HYBE and YG Plus. However, the rumor about an acquisition is not true. Both companies invested with a small stake and are currently helping us.”

ALSO READ: Label Takes Stern Action Against Employees Leaking Info, Slandering THIS K-pop Group

With this, VLAST hinted at the increase of their international activities in the future, saying:

"PLAVE has a very large domestic fandom. Usually, K-pop artists are popular overseas, but there is not much awareness of us yet (beyond Korea).

However, I think we are pioneering a new genre called 'virtual entertainment'. I am sure we will be loved. We are also thinking about expanding overseas, so there are a lot of technical things to prepare for how to do overseas TV appearances and concerts, so we are taking it step by step.”

VLAST CEO Hints at PLAVE Members' Solo Activities + Addresses Question on Group's Lineup

For those who are not familiar with PLAVE, the K-pop boy group is comprised of virtual idols Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin.

Contrary to AI singers, this idol group uses motion capture to hide their real faces, which helps them eliminate prejudice about appearance and make fans focus on their skills and personalities.

Although fans can only interact with them virtually, they are self-produced idols who write lyrics, compose music, create their own choreography and even produce their albums.

When curiosity about whether they would be given a chance to shine in the future as soloists arose, CEO Lee replied:

"It is possible since during the concert, PLAVE performed individually and as a unit. However, the members’ opinion pointed out that it is right for the five of them to continue performing together as it has been only about a year since they debuted. One day, they will hold a solo stage. We are thinking about doing unit activities as well."

Regarding inquiries about a future change in the members, the VLAST CEO attested to fans:

"From the beginning, we thought that changing members was impossible. What we wanted to do was to express the charms of the current members well."

READ MORE: Who Is PLAVE? Webtoon-Drawn Virtual K-pop Group's Debut Date, Profiles, MORE!

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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz