The Chinese streaming platform iQIYI announced the launch of the country's first “virtual idol variety show.”
titled Dimension Nova , the new talent show will feature “more than 30 virtual contestants competing to select the final winner.” To alleviate the psychological impact of sliding into a future dominated by virtual idols there will at least be human judges. As with our X Factor, there will be as many well-known people in China. Looking at them, I'm honest, I wouldn't distinguish them from the virtual characters they will have to judge.
For the record, it's about Esther Yu and Wang Linkai (members of two well-known boy bands in chinam, THE9 e Nine percent ) and an it-girl, Angelababy. You can see them in the tasty photo that I am attaching below.
Savings first
Managing a real idol costs money. We need to protect his image, avoid communication errors, exploit the wave until (as in the case of boy bands) he grows old. Behind the choice of iQIYI, the network behind this new talent for virtual idols, there is mainly the desire to cut costs. Fewer humans involved, fewer unknowns and less money. The official press release launching Dimension Nova enthusiastically mentions things like a “full 3D virtual environment” and a “non-linear manufacturing process,” whatever that might mean.
The part of the statement that makes you think the most (and also a little worrying) is this:
iQIYI believes these innovative production techniques will be the driving forces behind the rise of virtual idol-based variety shows
A growing trend
- digital influencers and computer-generated pop stars have become increasingly popular in China in recent years. However, not all of these projects have had positive responses. When the Chinese Communist Party tried to introduce its “politicized” virtual idols the reaction of social media has produced a hasty backtrack.
