APOKI, Korea’s no. 1 virtual artist and social media influencer, a cute “rabbit-like being living somewhere in space,” is ready to take on the Earth-residing audience with her ethereal new English-language dream pop single, “Mood V5.” The release comes six months after the release of her hit track, “West Swing,” featuring American rap legend E-40. The song’s music video has garnered over nine million views since its release.
The artificial intelligence (AI)-generated music video for “Mood V5” sees APOKI zipping through an intergalactic highway that occasionally looks like a cross between a Marvel Cinematic Universe film and Mario Kart’s Rainbow Road. Clad in a spacesuit, face gems, and moon boots, APOKI travels across visually mesmerizing dimensions and occasionally makes a few planetary pitstops as she dances and sings about ushering in the future. With the lyrics, “can see a brand new world / it’s so close,” it’s a fitting visual.
The music video’s production was a collaboration between APOKI’s management company AFUN Interactive and Sony Honda Mobility (a joint venture between entertainment and tech company Sony and automaker Honda). The video shows APOKI’s chosen mode of interdimensional transport as an animated prototype of the recently-unveiled Afeela electric vehicle concept. The car was first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas back in January. According to a press release shared with Kpopconcerts.com, the two companies resonated with each other’s message of creativity and “innovation in mobility.”
The Korean and Japanese entertainment industries are no strangers to dabbling in tech innovations such as AI, virtual reality (VR), or the metaverse. Adam, a Korean “cyber singer,” saw moderate success at his debut in 1998 and Hatsune Miku has become a global media and music icon since her debut in 2007. K-Pop idols like AleXa have adopted AI-themed concepts and K-Pop giant SM Entertainment has even given their lineup of artists, most notably Aespa and NCT, metaverse lore known as the SM Culture Universe. Riot Games, the developers behind League of Legends, launched in-game K-Pop groups K/DA and TRUE DAMAGE that both feature Miyeon and Soyeon of (G)I-DLE.
More recently, fully-AI generated, hyper-realistic idol groups like Eternity, SuperKind, and MAVE: have made their debuts as well. And if you haven’t heard yet, the VR survival show “GIRL’S RE:VERSE” is currently airing and features members of groups like APINK, WJSN, LOONA, and Purple Kiss competing to debut in a virtual girl group.
APOKI, who has been “trained” in K-Pop music and dance styles, is aiming to go beyond niche tech-interested audiences with “Mood V5’s” undeniably catchy tune and English lyrics. Written and produced by Melanie Fontana, Michel Schulz, and Andreas Carlsson – notable for their work with both international and K-Pop stars such as Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, BTS, Seventeen, and Dua Lipa among other recognizable names – the song’s melodic, mellow beat and soothing blend of synths and soft guitar riffs is a recipe for an earworm. APOKI’s low register and smooth vocal tone give the track a soulful, human element that listeners around the world will be sure to vibe to.
K-Pop as a genre has already reached international popularity. But with contagiously good music and a collaboration with Sony Honda Mobility – just one of APOKI’s brand partnerships since her 2021 debut – APOKI has the potential to truly pave the way for a Hallyu takeover that reaches new dimensions.
Listen to “Mood V5” on major streaming platforms and follow APOKI’s latest interstellar endeavors on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram!