As our post-pandemic world embraces immersive entertainment and technology like never before, AmazeVR has doubled down on developing virtual reality concerts for distribution in appropriately equipped theaters as well as to at-home viewers.
Following a successful run of its “Enter the Hottieverse” VR concert tour featuring Megan Thee Stallion — which sold out 94 percent of shows during its first leg and was so popular that it is coming back for a second leg beginning in August — AmazeVR has announced a new partnership in South Korea to bring its innovative technology to K-pop fans.
The company will be forming a joint venture called Studio A with K-Pop giant SM Entertainment and Studio KWANGYA, SM Entertainment’s metaversal content production arm. Studio A will be based in Seoul and will produce immersive VR concerts for SM’s extensive network of artists in K-pop and beyond.
“SM is excited to expand our market to include metaverse content for artists using AmazeVR’s industry-leading VR technologies […] We’ve had a great interest in this market and see the opportunity for our artists in the metaverse,” said Sung-su Lee, CEO of SM Entertainment.
K-pop artists have been at the forefront of the metaverse and immersive technologies over the past few years, with groups hosting virtual concerts and pioneering other initiatives to connect with fans digitally. SM Entertainment will now be able to expand its metaverse content for its artists, which include NCT, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, and Shinee.
AmazeVR will provide its proprietary VR concert creation tools, which include a custom 3D VR camera and stage setup and Unreal Engine-based VR VFX tools. Concerts produced by Studio A will be distributed exclusively through AmazeVR’s VR music metaverse service and SM’s VR metaverse service.
AmazeVR Co-CEO Steve Lee added, “Our JV partnership with SM Entertainment will deliver mesmerizing, fully immersive VR concerts featuring mega K-Pop stars. Never before have fans been able to experience their favorite artists in such an intimate and personal way. Get ready to see captivating choreography as the music comes to life, with the fan center stage.”