PLAVE Drops an 'Avengers-Level' MV… Showcasing the Power of Virtual

Virtual idol group PLAVE has made a significant impact with their fantasy concept, proving their worth in the virtual idol scene. Their latest mini-album 'Caligo Pt.1' has solidified their position as a music chart powerhouse.

On the day of its release, all tracks from 'Caligo Pt.1' dominated the Melon TOP100 chart, securing positions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Within 24 hours, the album achieved an impressive 11 million streams on Melon, setting a new record for the highest number of streams for an album within a day.

The music video for PLAVE's title track 'Dash' evokes the Marvel 'Avengers' series, featuring members battling against invaders in a cyberpunk universe. With action sequences reminiscent of Marvel films, members like Yejun and Eunho showcase their powers, such as protective shields and fire manipulation.

Initially perceived as a limitation, PLAVE's virtual nature has become a significant advantage. While some doubted the mainstream appeal of virtual idols, PLAVE has cleverly leveraged their unique characteristics to enhance their appeal.

Industry insiders note that as virtual characters, PLAVE can utilize elaborate CGI effects that real-life idol groups cannot easily achieve. While human idol groups can incorporate CGI, blending it with live-action without substantial Hollywood-level budgets seamlessly is challenging.

PLAVE has also ventured into new musical territories with this album. Previously known for their lyrical music, they have now embraced the metal genre, along with hip-hop, ballad, R&B, and city pop, showcasing their versatility.

The album reflects current music trends, incorporating techniques like 'anti-drop' to enhance focus. The members' vocal and rap skills have been praised for their excellence.

However, some have expressed disappointment with the sound quality. An industry expert commented that while PLAVE's music is excellent, the production lacks polish compared to renowned bands like Coldplay or Official HIGE DANdism. The mix and mastering of the metal tracks have been criticized for causing listener fatigue due to the blending of mid-range instrumentals and vocals.

There are also concerns about PLAVE's musical direction becoming unclear. By releasing a powerful metal track, PLAVE has challenged the perception that their strength lies in lyrical band sounds. While this expands their musical possibilities, it also risks diluting their unique musical identity.

By Min-Kyung Lee, TenAsia