In June, AI-based IP studio JUNKY CREAM announced that its virtual artist project BRAZY will officially debut next month, revealing the direction of members DANTÉ and OCEAN.
BRAZY has garnered strong attention even before their debut as the first mixed-gender duo in the global virtual idol K-pop market. With a completely different worldview and technological prowess compared to the existing virtual scene, their identities received a hot response from both the domestic and international music and tech scenes as soon as they were unveiled.
The most talked-about aspect was the background of DANTÉ and OCEAN's creation. First, DANTÉ appears human but is not; he refers to himself as an "imperfect being" and presents dark yet addictive music based on a unique emotional curve. He has been recognized as a virtual musician favored by high-sensitivity subculture artists even before his debut. Notably, he utilizes a proprietary sensory simulation engine developed by JUNKY CREAM to unfold his own story within the music.
OCEAN, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. With the concept of being a "transparent existence like water," he is a character with a free and dreamy charm. Combining Unreal Engine and special animation technology, OCEAN visually reveals a more emotional and strong aspect compared to DANTÉ. The direction of the music video leaves a deep impression, with scenes like "waves of reality" and "lonely ruins" harmonizing with OCEAN's identity.
What is most impressive is that, despite being a mixed-gender group, DANTÉ and OCEAN each made their solo debuts as individual units first. DANTÉ depicted a world of emotions and chaos through "PARADOX," while OCEAN sang about lyrical solitude in "BAD THINGS." Their strategy of captivating the audience with their individual narratives before showcasing their synergy as a duo has been evaluated as fresh and experimental in itself.
Additionally, JUNKY CREAM is preparing the next chapter to further expand BRAZY's worldview. A virtual boy group and girl group project centered around DANTÉ and OCEAN is set to be unveiled sequentially in the second half of this year, allowing BRAZY to grow into a massive IP universe beyond just being artists. Fans are already eagerly anticipating how the world that started with just two characters will expand in the next series.
Through this BRAZY project, JUNKY CREAM aims to present a new form of IP that transcends simple characters, based on the philosophy that "AI is not a tool but a language of sensation."
DANTÉ's first single "PARADOX" and OCEAN's debut song "BAD THINGS" have already created a strong resonance among global fandoms immediately after their release, receiving praise for "properly proving the identity and charm of virtual artists."
BRAZY's next steps are still shrouded in mystery, but the names DANTÉ and OCEAN are already being mentioned among music fans and the tech scene worldwide. Breaking down the boundaries between technology and emotion, BRAZY is heralding a new era of K-pop. The world is focused on the new narratives they will showcase after their debut.
[Geum Bitna, MK Sports Reporter]
