A one-on-one romance with ‘face genius’ Cha Eun-woo begins. But it’s not real. You can directly experience Cha Eun-woo in virtual reality saying “I love you” from the ‘front row’.
On the 17th, a press preview for ‘Cha Eun-woo VR Concert: Memories (CHA EUN-WOO VR CONCERT: MEMORIES)’ was held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. This work is the first VR concert of Cha Eun-woo, a member of the group ASTRO and an actor, and it is a romance fantasy that contains a narrative of emotions.
As soon as you enter the dedicated screening room equipped with a sound system and put on the VR headset, Cha Eun-woo, recreated in virtual reality based on 12K resolution live-action filming, appears before your eyes. Cha Eun-woo appears as the protagonist of a romance themed around excitement, love, parting, and memories, while the audience becomes the counterpart.
This concert organically combines a romance fantasy narrative and musical performance that is hard to find in existing VR content. In a performance structured like a drama, Cha Eun-woo alternates between acting and music, showcasing both his acting and singing talents.
The attempt to have the audience not just watch the performance but also create the story and conclusion together is impressive. During the viewing, the audience selects elements such as nostalgic objects, photos, and places that serve as clues for the next scene, and the development changes accordingly. The fact that the audience becomes the subject that completes the narrative is another difference from existing VR content.
The story begins with Cha Eun-woo, who has been heartbroken by Aroha (ASTRO fandom), leading to an expected conclusion. The story is so cliché that it doesn’t spark curiosity about what happens next. However, Cha Eun-woo, crafted so intricately that it’s hard to distinguish from reality, delicately portrays the emotional lines that change according to the storyline with expressions that oscillate between warmth and coldness.
In scenes where Cha Eun-woo sings and performs, the rich sound captivates the ears. However, the overly perfect sound can feel somewhat inhuman. Viewers who want to feel the live atmosphere of an offline concert may be disappointed. It’s important to note that this is a VR concert, not a live concert.
There are also drawbacks that come from the VR content itself. The VR headset installed in the screening room is somewhat heavy, requiring the audience to endure the runtime with tension in their necks rather than comfortably enjoying the concert. Additionally, some viewers may experience eye fatigue and dizziness due to focus issues, which can lead to motion sickness symptoms.
Nevertheless, if you are a fan of Cha Eun-woo, it is worth watching at least once. The biggest merit is being able to see Cha Eun-woo, who has visuals more cartoonish than a cartoon, just 1cm away. Plus, experiencing a romance with Cha Eun-woo, even if it’s in virtual reality, is enticing. A runtime of 58 minutes is bearable.
Released on the 18th at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall and Yeonnam. Runtime 58 minutes.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
