AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?

AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?

Netizens have a buzzword called "artificial intelligence play" that is used to describe actors with "facial paralysis" and hard and lifeless facial expressions, as if they were created by artificial intelligence. In addition, plastic surgery is widespread in South Korea. Previous Beauty Contest Photos from contest were leaked online, revealing that all beauties were very similar in appearance, and netizens dubbed them "AI army."

We use term "AI" to describe people who look same or have a boring expression, but in fact, AI, in turn, has already imitated people, and did it so brightly that it deceived eyes of many people.

Last year, AI host Kim Joo Ha (AI 김주하) appeared on MBN in South Korea. His demeanor, speech style, and facial expressions were almost same as those of real people, which caused a lot of discussion. This anchor was developed jointly by MBN and AI company MoneyBrain. He is based on TV presenter Jin Zhuxia. If you enter a draft text within 1000 words in "AI Jinzhuxia", broadcast screen will be generated automatically. The goal is to broadcast news in real time, capture speed.

AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?

The main task of news presenter is to professionally convey correct information. It does not require too many exaggerated expressions or movements. It's still a relatively rudimentary app, but what if it's replaced by a YouTuber who needs to sing, dance, and chat? Korean YouTuber Rui (루이) often uploads cover videos on her channel "RuiCovery", averaging over 50,000 views, some even exceeding 100,000. Make her a little famous on YouTube.

No matter how you look at it, Rui in video looks like an ordinary hot girl of an Internet celebrity. Surprisingly, she blew herself up in February of this year, and in fact she is a "virtual person". In her video, only hair, voice and body are real, in addition, entire face is created using AI deep learning technology (Deepfake).

In this regard, Rui also said, "It's like getting a second life, isn't it?" Netizens have had mixed reactions to this. Some believe that she makes good use of artificial intelligence technology and does not see any shortcomings. , but some people think "I hope to see Rui's real face under mask. Your singing voice is beautiful and I believe people will be beautiful too", "I can't say it's fake, it's really scary."

Rui "Yi" mentioned in an interview that she always dreamed of becoming a singer, but South Korean showbiz puts a lot of importance on looks and competition is very high. "AI face" is presented to public.

AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?
AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?
AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?

The dob studio mentioned that Rui's face is first based on machine learning of various real face data, selects most friendly and attractive face, and then uses special face synthesis technology to create that face. The face can be combined with real body to create an appearance almost indistinguishable from real person in movie.

A group of 11 girls is made up of AI! Make a new revolution in Kpop

When it comes to Korean entertainment industry, most telling is K-pop, which is popular all over world, and heroes behind it are one idol group after another. And in March of this year, first "artificial intelligence girl group" Eternity appeared in South Korea. They were created by technology company Pulse9. There are 11 members in group. The biggest feature is that no one is real and all faces are synthesized and do not exist in world.

Actually, debut path of these group members was born through "draft". Among 101 AI girls, they stood out after a vote by netizens. Each member even has their own birthday, identity, personality, etc. For example, member Xia Tian is in charge of songwriting, and member Xuzhen has been a "trainee" for 5 years.

In March of this year, five of them released their debut single "I'm Real" for first time. Lyrics sang: "I'm real, wake up real girls... I'm real, brand new No." you can imagine their appearance", but since this group is virtual from head to toe, it can be clearly seen that it is not as natural as Internet celebrity Rui, and singing voice is also synthesized, and reception does not seem to be that high.

In future, Pulse9 and agency AiA-fab will also follow current Korean idol model, allowing members to participate in more activities such as YouTube videos, brand models, etc., or perform in small groups. A member of troupe appears in advertisement.

AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?
A mask to hide or free yourself?

Deepfake technology is becoming more and more popular not only in Asia, but also in Europe and America. Michela Souza, a 19-year-old US singer known as Lil Michela, has 3 million followers on Instagram and 268,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel. She has two round heads and freckles on her face. and of Spanish descent, of course, she is also an AI internet celebrity.

Lil Michela mentioned in his introductory video that best thing about being a robot is that he can collaborate with many famous singers and do tricky moves in MV, like dancing on a moving truck. Emotionally filming a video with her "ex-boyfriend," she said with a smile, "Well... I guess that's something people aren't capable of."

AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?
AI can create from MCs to Kpop girl groups! Do we need real idols in future?

It can be seen from above examples that deepfake face changing applications are becoming more and more popular in entertainment industry, especially in 2020, when epidemic is raging, people are more eager to find a company on Internet, and adoption of "virtual" Internet - celebrities. The popularity is also getting higher and higher, not only 2D VTuber trend brought by Japan, but also 3D, more human-like AI Internet celebrities seem to be rewriting rules of entertainment industry, starting rise.

As old saying goes, technology always comes from human nature. On one hand, it can be said that a deeply rooted look-oriented culture in society makes people hope to use technology to create an “attractive” face. attract attention, but on other hand, if you can use technology to create look you want to present so that these people can look at world more freely and comfortably, then AI face changing technology sounds less intimidating.

As Rui said, it's like getting second life you want, why not do it? What do you think?