Virtual girl group Hades has climbed to the top of the weekly charts, injecting fresh momentum into a virtual idol market that has shown signs of stagnation. Following the breakout successes of PLAVE and ISEGYE IDOL, the market has lacked a clear next hit, making Hades’ achievement a notable development.
According to the Circle Chart on January 2, Hades ranked No.1 on the download chart for Week 52 of 2025, covering December 21 to 27. The result stands out amid a year-end chart crowded with releases from established K-pop artists and seasonal tracks. It is being interpreted as a positive signal that virtual idols are transitioning from a phase of “technological demonstration” toward broader acceptance within mainstream K-pop conventions.
◇ The Path Paved by PLAVE and ISEGYE IDOL, Continued by Hades
The virtual idol market has largely grown around two major pillars: PLAVE and ISEGYE IDOL. Beyond technical sophistication, both groups emphasized communication with fans and musical authenticity, helping establish “virtual” idols as a distinct genre. However, many groups that followed struggled to surpass their presence and often remained short-lived sensations.
Hades’ No.1 download ranking carries significance in that it demonstrates how later entrants, when backed by strong planning and direction, can still secure fandoms with real purchasing power. It suggests the possibility of expanding the market base beyond a system dominated by a single leading act.
◇ Beyond Technology, Toward “Grammar”: The Success of Adopting K-pop Trends
Hades’ strong performance reflects a broader shift in virtual idol production trends. While early stages of the market focused heavily on visual realism and graphic technology, recent approaches increasingly prioritize the adoption of established K-pop trends from the planning stage.
Rather than relying on complex or opaque world-building, Hades foregrounded easy-listening music and fan-friendly communication. Technology functioned as a supportive tool rather than the centerpiece, while core competitiveness rested on proven K-pop formulas. The case illustrates how the market’s center of gravity is steadily, if gradually, moving from technology toward content.
◇ The Challenge of Sustainability, Strengthening the Power of Narrative
Still, industry observers caution against drawing overly optimistic conclusions from a single chart-topping result. Across the sector, many projects remain overly absorbed in technical execution while failing to establish a clear artistic identity. For a short-term surge such as a No.1 download ranking to translate into long-term success, unresolved challenges remain.
In this context, the global success of the OST “Golden” from the animated series K-pop Demon Hunters offers a meaningful reference point. While not a virtual idol release, the song demonstrated how music can gain far greater impact when integrated with a solid narrative foundation.
As such, voices within the virtual idol industry argue that Hades’ achievement should serve as a starting point. Alongside continued efforts to reduce technological dissonance, building compelling narratives that fans and the general public can emotionally invest in has become an increasingly urgent task.
An industry insider commented, “Hades’ performance shows that the virtual idol market, though progressing slowly, is moving in the right direction,” adding, “When efforts go beyond technical competition to deliver music and narratives that K-pop fandoms can fully embrace, the overall size of the market will continue to grow.”
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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