From Biden to Plave, the voices behind virtual idols

As the virtual idol industry, where virtual characters take center stage, expands, there is a growing movement to guarantee the rights of the actual vocalists singing behind the characters. The Korea Music Performers' Association (hereinafter FKMP, Chairman Lee Jung Hyun) announced on the 23rd that the actual vocal performers of the rookie virtual group B:DAWN have recently completed their membership registration.

B:DAWN's recent enrollment serves as an indicator for establishing a performer rights protection system within the rapidly growing virtual content market. Previously, the actual vocalists of Plave, ISEGYE IDOL, and the Saja Boys and Huntrix from the global animation 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' have also successively registered with FKMP, leading the trend of protecting the rights and interests of virtual artists.

The real voices hidden behind character IP, demanding fair compensation

Virtual idols promote themselves using character intellectual property (IP) implemented through digital technology. However, the singing and performing, which are the core of musical works, are handled by real people. Even if the appearance is a virtual being made of data, the subjects implementing the music are actual performers.

FKMP specified that even for character-centered content, since the performance is carried out by real people, they are also subjects entitled to collect and receive neighboring rights royalties. FKMP is a copyright trust organization that collects and distributes neighboring rights royalties for music performers, including singers, instrumentalists, traditional Korean music performers, vocalists, and conductors.

Virtual artists are achieving achievements comparable to artists under existing K-pop agencies, such as entering the top of global music charts and holding solo concerts. This is the background behind the growing voices calling for legal and institutional protection for the performers who complete the musical works as the industry scale increases. Cho Hyun, head of the Data Business Team at FKMP, stated, "Virtual music, which was merely a supplementary element in the past, has established itself as an independent industry through OTT and streaming platforms," adding, "Awareness regarding the protection of the rights and interests of actual vocalists has also significantly improved in the field."

The principle of performer rights that remains unchanged despite technological changes

With this membership, FKMP will reorganize the performer-centered rights guarantee system to suit the AI and virtual era. Kim Seung-min, Executive Director of FKMP, emphasized, "Even if content formats change due to technological advancement, the basic rights of the performers implementing the music must be respected equally. We will continuously advance the rights protection system so that music performers in various fields can receive fair rights and compensation in the era of AI and virtual content."

The protection of rights surrounding virtual artists is also linked to judicial trends. As seen in the damages case involving mockery and disparagement of Plave, which was finalized by a second instance ruling last November, judicial precedents surrounding virtual artists are accumulating. This membership in FKMP serves as a foundation for establishing a fair compensation structure for performers, going beyond IP protection.