• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.103-118
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• 2024

Due to the advancement of virtual reality technology, virtual idols are widely used in industrial and cultural content industries. However, it is difficult to utilize virtual idols' social perceptions because they are not properly understood. Therefore, this paper collected and analyzed YouTube comments to identify differences about social perception through comparative analysis between virtual idols and general idols. The dataset was constructed by crawling comments from music videos with more than 10 million views of virtual idols and more than 10,000 comments. Keyword frequency and TF-IDF values were derived from the collected dataset, and the connection centrality CONCOR cluster was analyzed with a semantic network using the UCINET program. As a result of the analysis, it was found that virtual idols frequently used keywords such as "person," "quality," "character," "reality," "animation," while reactions and perceptions were derived from general idols. Based on the results of this analysis, it was found that while general idols are mainly evaluated with their appearance and cultural factors, social perceptions of virtual idols' values are mixed with evaluations of cultural factors such as "song," "voice," and "choreography," focusing on technical factors such as "people," "quality," "character," and "animation." However, keywords such as "song," "voice," "choreography," and "music" are included in the top 30 like regular idols and appear in the same cluster, suggesting that virtual idols are gradually shifting away from minority tastes to mainstream culture. This study aims to provide academic and practical implications for the future expansion of the industry and cultural content industry of virtual idols by grasping the social perception of virtual idols.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.28-38
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• 2022

Virtual idols have aroused wide attention as a novel product of the idol industry in the digital era over the past few years. The population of China determines that virtual idols have a huge fan market. As a digital cultural product closely connected with fans, virtual idols are im-portant to gain insights into the correlation between fan satisfaction and virtual idol functions. In accordance with the KANO demand model, this study first classifies and explains the specific functions of virtual idols into four quadrants, including attractive, must-be, 1D (One-Dimensional), and indifferent. Subsequently, the satisfaction of fans of virtual idols with specific functions in each quadrant are analyzed using a questionnaire. This study suggests that virtual idols have one at-tractive quality, three 1D quality, two must-be quality, and five indifferent quality functional elements. This study qualitatively analyzes the functional elements of virtual idols through fan satisfaction based on the KANO model, which provides valuable help for future research in the field of virtual idols and producers in this field.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.85-97
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• 2024

In recent years, the Guochao style of virtual idols has proliferated, and the virtual idol market in China has witnessed gradual growth. As Guochao combines traditional Chinese culture with modern aesthetics, it shapes a distinctive visual identity for Chinese virtual idols. We address the current research gap by exploring the characteristics of Guochao style in virtual idol design through literature analysis, semiotics, and comparative studies. We examine how Guochao virtual idols represent the convergence of Chinese culture and modern technology, reflecting cultural characteristics of the era. Through our analysis of virtual idol design, we identify key design features of Guochao virtual idols, bridging a theoretical void in this area. We propose recommendations to foster a more dynamic and culturally enriched virtual idol industry in China. Our research provides new insights into integrating Guochao elements into virtual idol design as an approach to differentiate amid competition while promoting traditional Chinese culture through digital media. We demonstrate how this design approach enhances the uniqueness and cultural value of Chinese virtual idols, contributing to the field's theoretical foundation and practical applications.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2023

The digital age start in earnest with the widespread use of the Internet. As a digital product, virtual idols bring new value to the design and dissemination of commercial brand images. "Luo Tianyi" is the world's first avatar and VOCALOID voice bank of Chinese. It has a large number of fans in China and is widely used in brand promotion. Therefore, "Luo Tianyi" is taken as the research object. Initially, we investigated the virtual idols through books, literature on the internet and other materials. Then we discussed semiotics and theories related to culture code brand design methodology (CCBD). After that, putting the above theories into practice, combined with brand design cases, we analyzed the strategy of virtual idols in brand promotion and dissemination, at last, we have the conclusion as followed. The results show that the virtual idols, visual symbol of "Luo Tianyi" can express the Index and Symbol corresponding to the brand information according to the characteristics of the brand. As an image of cultural code, "Luo Tianyi" can present three visual images at the same time, which are contemporary, traditional and future. In addition, these three visual images are presented in a strong and weak combination, which has a positive impact on the visual communication of the brand.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.102-118
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• 2022

With the development of digital content software production technology and the technological progress of related hardware, the social status quo in the post-epidemic era, the popularization and application of 5G networks, the market and consumers' increasing demand for digital content products, artificial intelligence, virtual digital human, virtual Idols, virtual live, self-media content and metaverse-related content industries are all developing rapidly. Virtual idols, virtual digital human, etc. are not only accelerating innovation in production technology. The economic cost, technical difficulty and time requirements of production are also greatly reduced. With the arrival and development of the Metaverse, the author believes that the content industry with virtual digital humans as the core will continue to develop in the direction of refinement, specialization, facilitation and customization. In this article, we will analyze and study the production of virtual digital human based on Photoscan technology and Unreal Engine 5 Metahuman software, and discuss the application status and future development of related content.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.69-78
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• 2020

K/DA is a K-pop virtual idol based on the game character. This study analyzed the creation process, characteristics and existential meaning of virtual idols from the perspective of Pataphysics. K/DA is a character with both characteristics of game character and K-pop girl group. Also, virtual character and real idol share the body through motion capture and augmented reality(AR). As a result, K/DA crosses virtual and reality, and at the same time becomes a pataphysical subject that does not belong to either virtual or reality. K/DA is suggested a third zone where digital subjects will be located in the future.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2023

Modern people live a life connected with the real world and the virtual world by relying on the new media of enterprises and social consumption led by innovative technologies. In this environment, virtual influencers actively communicate with consumers and build relationships through social media, which is a new marketing tool that has attracted widespread attention. From a business perspective, it is necessary to have a solid understanding of this phenomenon, and then explore communication strategies to effectively develop virtual influencers. To investigate followers' preference for virtual influencers, this study employs the Q-method, which studies human subjective attributes, an empirical research effort to uncover complex issues in human subjectivity. To determine the factors that trigger people's voluntary and active practice and the preference degree of virtual influencers, the Q method is implemented to examine human subjectivity, thoughts and attitudes. According to the results of this study, virtual influencers are a new group of idols full of vitality. The interviews found that there are still many virtual influencers who do not know about followers, but each type can be clearly understood through the intuitive understanding of the interviewees. Divided out, type 1 one egoideal virtual influencers aim to represent an idealized version of the creator or target audience. Embodies ideal physical characteristics, personality or lifestyle desired by the audience. Type 2 is charismatic and attractive, and has the characteristics of most virtual influencers. It is suggested that it can be developed into a potential type, doing brand cooperation, and content production on social media platforms. Type 3: Game animation, derived from the image of characters in games or comics, with stylized features and energetic personalities, which can be integrated into games or entertainment experiences. Type 4 development potential type is the most successful type among virtual imagers, and it is also the purpose of marketing virtual influencers. It is essential that brand endorsement on social media platforms, integrated marketing, and driving advertising traffic. It is recommended to improve production technology to reduce investment costs.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.33-49
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• 2022

In the metaverse, it is important to embellish aesthetics of user with a character called 'Avatar', a virtual representation of the user. This study provides basic data related to the fashion trend of the metaverse by studying 'Zepeto', a representative Korean platform. For empirical research, Zepeto's "Best Items" section were investigated and analyzed in the first pre-survey. Based on this, the second and main survey was conducted using a questionnaire to investigate users' style-specific preferences and purchasing behaviors for virtual fashion, comparing style preferences between virtual and real, brand preferences, and purchasing behaviors of virtual fashion. The survey found that most users were teenage girls with a high preference for pastel-toned, feminine, and cute casual styles who had a much higher interest in brands bearing idol names than in real-world luxury brands. Many responded that they felt burdened by purchasing items that had to be purchased for cash. The same can be assumed to be the reason why they preferred a suit of items that were fully coordinated rather than individual items. These results seem to reflect characteristics of teenage girls who lack cash with a high preference for idols and feminine-cute casual styles. This study suggests considerations when creating virtual fashion items. By providing basic information, more effects and developments in creating virtual fashion items that reflect consumer preferences and reactions are expected in the future.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic situation, the attention on Metaverse has been soared throughout media and publications. Recently the entertainment industry is also changing to actively utilize the virtual world with artists working through Metaverse platforms. With the recent high interests on Metaverse, this study attempts to illuminate how the public perceives and accepts Metaverse experiences. While research on Metaverse has been mainly focused on specific technologies or technical objects, this study focuses on exploring how fans recognize and understand the concept of Metaverse through newly debuted idol group 'aespa', composing of 4 human members and 4 AI avatar members that integrate real and virtual world. For this, this study seeks to analyze the reaction and recognition of fans by exploring online community 'DC Inside'. As a result of analyzing the reactions of fans in the early days of aespa's debut, the perspectives of understanding AI members of aespa are categorized into three groups: first, the type of equating and accepting the real and the virtual world; second, the type of recognizing the real world and the virtual world separately and recognizing the virtual member as an avatar or concept, not a genuine member; and finally, a type of recognizing virtual worlds separately from reality. Based on these results, the implications that Metaverse contents may have in the entertainment industry are suggested.