Is PLAVE The “Virtual BTS”?— Netizens React

On February 19, Billboard revealed that virtual idol group PLAVE’s “Dash” ranked number 195 on the Global 200 chart.

This is the first time a virtual idol has made it onto this chart.

The Billboard global charts are ranked based on online streaming and digital sales in over 200 countries worldwide.

The group received a positive response on the day of the album’s release on domestic sites and doubled the monthly listeners on Spotify within two weeks. It truly proves their global influence beyond Korea.

— VLAST

While most netizens felt that calling them the “virtual BTS” was media play, others supported the group and congratulated them on their achievement.

• “What’s with the comments? Congrats to PLAVE!”
• “Let’s just congratulate them please…congrats!”
• “The comments are messed up…congrats to the PLAVE members!”

While virtual idols refer to 2D animation characters, PLAVE has a real person behind the character instead of AI. The real person sings while technology is used to make the character move and dance.