🧬 This Virtual Influencer is Sharing Ukraine's War Stories
Plus learn more about Teflon Sega’s 2nd virtual concert + learn how K-Pop group ‘aespa’ is leaning into the Metaverse
Good afternoon!
Welcome back to The Splice 🧬 by VirtualHumans.org: a weekly newsletter curating the latest news, developments, and insights in the virtual influencer space.
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🧬 Core Strands from This Week
This Virtual Influencer Is Sharing Ukraine’s War Stories
🔎 The Synopsis: Astra Starr was an average virtual influencer living in Ukraine until three months ago when Russia began to invade her hometown of Kyiv. Now, she’s using her platform to share stories of living in an active warzone.
🧬 The Splice: While Astra may be virtual, her impact is real. She’s currently donating $1.70 USD to the “Come Back Alive” fund each time someone reposts her content or uses her AR lens on their Instagram.
Teflon Sega Performs 2nd Virtual Concert in the Metaverse With Wave
🔎 The Synopsis: Last week, virtual influencer Teflon Sega performed the highly-anticipated second half of his virtual concert series “Dimensions Vol. 2” with concert platform Wave.
🧬 The Splice: Wave has hosted several virtual concerts with human artists such as The Weeknd and Justin Beiber, but Teflon is the first performer to headline two shows. He’s also the first artist to gift free NFTs to fans who attended the concert.
💡Curious to learn more about virtual concerts? Check out our deep dive into their history and potential.
🌟 Brand Campaign Spotlight
Shinhan Life extends contract with virtual influencer Rozy
🧬 The Splice: The South Korean life insurance group Shinhan Life has decided to extend its contract with virtual influencer Rozy. So far, she’s starred in a commercial in July and the music video for the Shinhan Life original song “Fly So Higher.” They plan to release a second music video titled “Ask Me,” starring Rozy soon.
🔭 What We’re Looking at This Week
How K-Pop Group aespa Is Making the Metaverse Their Home
🔑 Key Quote: “But there’s something that sets them apart: aespa also exists as four virtual avatars, each carefully crafted to match their human counterpart, in a fantastical metaverse…The goal is to “normalize metaverse concepts and have our fans and other people be a little more comfortable with the whole idea of it,” Giselle says. It’s a journey that fans can go on by taking the time to watch aespa’s videos and consume their content, beyond just enjoying the songs.” — TIME
Male virtual influencer created by Sogang students sees success
🔑 Key Quote: "According to Theo’s social media, he is ‘half Korean and half Brazil living in Seoul,’ who speaks Korean, Portuguese, and English. Through his ability to speak three languages, he is attracting many international fans, particularly in Brazil, according to industry insiders on Wednesday.” — Korean Joonang Daily
Baidu Releases Wen Yaoyao, China’s First Virtual Cultural Relic Commentator
🔑 Key Quote: “Wen Yaoyao, a virtual yet traditional Chinese girl, started to work at Art Exhibition China today, talking with a dozen museum curators and sharing stories behind the most-treasured pieces of the collection. In the future, she will provide services such as explanations, tour guiding, dialogues, and live streaming in major museums. As the first virtual cultural commentator, she will visit overseas together with her Chinese counterparts for exchanges and to spread Chinese culture.” — Pandaily
Best,
VirtualHumans.org
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Insights by Makena Rasmussen, and Christopher Travers.