Virtual Idol Group PLAVE Concludes First Asia Tour with Sold-Out Concerts at Gocheok Sky Dome

Virtual idol group PLAVE has successfully wrapped up their first Asia tour with a grand finale at the Gocheok Sky Dome. The group proved their prowess by selling out both shows and delivering a flawless performance, challenging the skepticism surrounding virtual idols.

PLAVE held their encore solo concerts on the 21st and 22nd at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul. This event marked the conclusion of their Asia tour, which began in August at the KSPO Dome. Both performances were sold out, with pre-sale ticket traffic reaching approximately 530,000 hits. The Gocheok Sky Dome, a venue that can accommodate around 18,000 people per day, is typically reserved for top-tier idols. PLAVE managed to perform there just two years after their debut.

The group leveraged the advantages of being virtual idols, showcasing instant costume and hair & makeup changes during the performance, creating scenes that are difficult to achieve in reality. The use of screen effects that mimicked real structures enhanced the immersive experience. By incorporating dancers, they seamlessly bridged the gap between virtual and reality, elevating the overall quality of the performance.

The costumes and stage production differed from their August concert, leading audiences to comment that it felt like a new show despite being an encore. Considering the significant cost involved in creating outfits for virtual idols, this is seen as a substantial investment in enhancing the audience experience.

There were technical challenges, such as a network error that interrupted the screen display during the performance. The organizers attempted to mitigate disappointment by restarting the opening, and the members quickly re-engaged with fans to restore the atmosphere.

With the larger venue, the use of electronic displays expanded, making the production more grandiose. However, some front-row attendees felt that the oversized screens detracted from their immersion. Nonetheless, given that this was PLAVE's first performance at Gocheok Dome, these issues are expected to be addressed in future shows.

This Gocheok Dome concert is likely to remain a symbolic achievement for the virtual idol group in their second year. Not only does it mark a milestone of holding a solo concert in a large venue, but it also demonstrates the potential of virtual idols. Concluding the performance, PLAVE expressed gratitude to their fans, "Flee," stating, "Thanks to your belief in us, we've been able to overcome prejudices against virtual idols and become who we are today. We aim to continue growing with better music and performances, making history together."

With the conclusion of this concert, PLAVE officially ends their three-month tour. Having showcased the scale and expressive potential of virtual idol performances at Gocheok Dome, there is keen interest in their future activities.

Reporter: Kim Ji-won, TenAsia one@tenasia.co.kr