AI Meets K-Pop: Startup Galaxy Bets on Virtual Idols and Robot Performers
AI Meets K-Pop: Startup Galaxy Bets on Virtual Idols and Robot Performers
SEOUL — A South Korean startup is pushing the boundaries of pop music by blending artificial intelligence, virtual characters, and humanoid robots in a bid to reinvent the K-pop industry.
Galaxy, founded by entrepreneur Choi Yong-ho, is developing AI-generated idols and life-sized robotic performers designed to reduce reliance on human artists. The company’s vision marks a sharp departure from the traditional K-pop system, which typically involves years of training and development for performers.
Inside Galaxy’s futuristic Seoul headquarters — styled like a crashed spacecraft — robots rehearse synchronized choreography to K-pop songs, offering a glimpse into what the company believes is the future of entertainment.
“We’re trying to do everything with AI from start to finish,” Choi said, emphasizing the company’s goal of creating scalable content unconstrained by human limitations.
Founded in 2019, Galaxy has raised about $150 million from investors, including K-pop icon G-Dragon and Taiwanese singer Jay Chou. The company is now preparing for a potential dual listing in New York and Seoul by 2027, which could make it the first K-pop agency to debut overseas.
The startup gained wider attention after partnering with G-Dragon, a member of BIGBANG and one of the most influential figures in K-pop. Since signing with Galaxy in 2024, the artist has become central to its expansion into AI-driven content, including virtual performances and digitally generated media.
Galaxy is not alone in exploring this space. Major entertainment companies like SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment have also begun developing virtual idols, while digital groups such as Plave — which uses motion capture and 3D avatars — have already attracted large fanbases. The trend reflects growing global interest in virtual entertainment, highlighted by projects like Netflix’s animated “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Looking ahead, Galaxy plans to debut a four-member virtual girl group later this year, with music and videos partially created using AI tools. The company claims this approach could cut production costs by up to 99% compared to traditional K-pop videos.
It is also working on a virtual concert experience inspired by London’s “ABBA Voyage,” aiming to bring a similar format to Asia by 2027. According to Choi, such performances could allow fans to experience concerts without the physical limitations of human artists.
“A human performer can’t perform every day, but an avatar can,” he said.
Despite the ambition, industry experts caution that the virtual idol market remains unproven. Questions persist around authenticity, fan connection, and whether audiences will fully embrace AI-generated performers over human stars.
Galaxy’s long-term strategy includes merging real and virtual talent — either by turning human celebrities into digital intellectual property or by bringing virtual idols into the real world.
As the company moves toward a potential IPO, its success could help determine whether the future of entertainment lies in human creativity — or in code.
