Isegye Idol Excels in Both the Virtual Realm and Reality

There’s a unique emotional resonance that unfolds when you share the same physical space with your beloved idol. If not, why would anyone spend so much on a concert when they could easily catch a YouTube livestream from home?

That’s why over ten thousand fans filled the expansive, four-story Gocheok Sky Dome, going absolutely wild, even by K-pop standards, when girl group Isegye Idol graced the stage on Saturday night as the main act of the Isegye Festival.

However, the virtual sextet didn’t require a tangible presence to fuel the excitement.

Projected on a massive LED display while real performers, equipped with motion-capture technology, animated their anime-like avatars from behind the scenes, the digital stars couldn’t physically step onto the stage or walk among the fans — but that didn’t diminish the excitement one bit.

“The theme of today’s concert is, as you might have guessed, ‘Be my light,’” stated member Lilpa, following an electrifying performance of “Lockdown” (2023) and “Kidding” (2023), which was met with thunderous cheers.

“This concert is for you, the ones who make Isegye Idol shine so brightly.”

The group marked a milestone as the first virtual act to perform at Gocheok Sky Dome, one of Korea’s largest indoor concert spaces, with a capacity for around 16,000 attendees. Even considering that fans of other artists on the Isegye Festival lineup, like BoyNextDoor and tripleS, were present, this accomplishment was significant, as the multi-tiered venue was brimming with fans, many waving the group’s lightsticks.

“I’ve long dreamed of the day we would finally meet at the Gocheok Sky Dome,” remarked Jingburger, surveying the expanse of glowing lights in the arena.

“And here we are, living the dream.”

Fans were visibly moved, reflecting on Isegye Idol’s journey, which began with an audition program by streamer Woowakgood, who also serves as the group’s producer.

“I was overwhelming with emotion knowing Isegye Idol is performing at Gocheok Dome,” shared a concert-goer named Shin, whose favorite member is Viichan.

The 20-year-old has been a fan since the group’s debut in 2021 and has followed their path closely.

“I’m eager to see what kind of performances all six members are going to present,” he expressed.

“The main reason I wanted to attend the concert is obviously to see my favorite member up close,” mentioned another fan, identified by his nickname Bakgicheokja.

The 19-year-old, whose top choice is Lilpa, regrettably didn’t secure a ticket but still came to Gocheok to meet friends and soak in the atmosphere outside the venue.

“At the concert, you can enjoy the live performance and chant along with fellow fans — creating a sense of closeness,” the Lilpa fan reminisced, recalling fond moments from the first Isegye Festival two years prior and his idol’s solo concert last year.

For those curious, “What does he mean by ‘up close’ when the performers are essentially 2-D projections on screen?” — here’s a glimpse of how the night unfolded.

At the core of the vast LED display, where real-life performers stood, life-size avatars appeared on a slightly protruding segment of the screen, designed to provide a sense of depth and perspective. They danced and sang live with the classic K-pop idol-like synchronicity, with every detail — from finger movements to the swaying of hair and skirts to subtle facial expressions — rendered with astonishing clarity.

Although the life-size figures were 2-D projections, similar to the close-ups on the side screens, it felt as though they were the “real” ones, prompting fans to squint to see the live performance in the center of the stage.

Parable Entertainment, the agency behind the girl group, carefully crafted an illusion that made everything appear and feel as real as possible while also maximizing the group’s virtual aspects.

Typical idols may manage only a few style changes during a concert. In contrast, the members of Isegye Idol transformed their appearances for nearly every stage, with their hair lengths changing from shoulder-length styles to lengthy wavy curls reaching down to their waists.

Though we could go on about the impressive technological artistry, from lighting to frame rates — that’s ultimately aside from the primary point.

Everything in the show felt as authentic as could be, and that’s thanks to the human connection.

The enthusiasm, the thrill, the emotions — it was almost tangible. Fans, known as “Ipari,” radiated joy, erupting into roaring chants of “Isedol! Isedol!” — a loving nickname for the group — after almost every performance, which is rare even at the most popular K-pop concerts.

The concert concluded with the members reading their handwritten letters to the fans, some becoming emotional amidst a swirl of feelings.

“The usual Jururu will always be 17, but I’m so thankful that you are the ones who will remember the final days of my twenties that shone so brightly,” Jururu shared emotionally.

“I’ll treasure this memory for the rest of my life.”

We can certainly debate the illusion of authenticity endlessly, but perhaps that’s better left for another time — because even if the tears weren’t depicted on-screen, who could deny that those tears of joy were genuine?

BY SHIN HA-NEE [[email protected]]