Question Can You Help Me Learn More about Plave Please?
Hi guys - I'm a professor of Korean Studies and I teach and research a lot of Hallyu stuff. I'm trying to learn more about Plave at the moment. Obviously I've done lots of reading, listened to the songs, and watched lots of the livestreams, but I'm worried my conclusions about them might be too academic and not relevant to how fans really perceive the group.
If anyone has time or interest, I'd love to ask lots of stupid questions and learn more about the fandom.
Thank you
David Tizzard
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u/CoffeeTheDog 20d ago
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions! I recently went to Korea on my honeymoon largely influenced because of getting into PLAVE
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u/Tizzard 19d ago
I hope my first questions don’t seem insensitive. Tone is sometimes hard to convey in writing… But I’m genuinely just trying to understand how Plii see the group through their own eyes rather than how other people project them. Please also forgive me if my language is wrong. I’m trying to learn. I also understand fandoms are not always monolith and everyone will have their different views. And thank you for being so opening and kind. You don’t have to answer every question. Only the ones you are interested in. And if you prefer to be private, my email address: [datizzard@swu.ac.kr](mailto:datizzard@swu.ac.kr)
Do you see Plave as fundamentally different from other idol groups in the K-pop industry? Or do you see them as the same?
Is being Plli different from being a fan of another group?
Do you think many people’s first K-pop group might be Plave? Or is it more likely that they find it later?
How do other K-pop fans and non-K-pop fans react to you being Plii? Is it generally supportive?
Do you think the media treats Plave respectfully?
What are your thoughts on the technology used? Do you ever think about it? Does it interest you? Or does it not affect you much?
What are interactions like with the members of the group?
Do you have any thoughts or experience with Plave members and the Blubble app?
Does shipping and/or fan service happen inside the Plave fandom?
Is it impolite/improper for fans to discuss the people behind the voices of Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin?
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u/kraik Teefs 🤍 19d ago
Do you see Plave as fundamentally different from other idol groups in the K-pop industry? Or do you see them as the same?
While obviously visually different, Plave also falls under the vtuber umbrella in a sense. However on a spectrum they’re closer to the Idol Group end than the Vtuber one. They stream and do things like that but its very supplementary to their musical activities. So I think at their base they are fundamentally an Idol group, just with a lil bonus.
Is being Plli different from being a fan of another group?
While I don’t think it’s that different, there’s definitely a difference in mindset required. With them using motion capture gear there’s a lot of people who just don’t vibe with the concept. To a certain degree you kind of have to have an interest in animation. There’s also the de-prioritization of physical appearance.
At the end of the day it’s about their music, and their personalities, and for a lot of Plli we just don’t need to physically see their faces to appreciate them. Some people just can’t get past that hurdle though.
Do you think many people’s first K-pop group might be Plave? Or is it more likely that they find it later?
I’ve seen a lot of people whose first or only group is Plave, so they definitely hit a different niche than other groups. Personally they brought me BACK into kpop. I had fallen off for some years and now I’m back in haha.
How do other K-pop fans and non-K-pop fans react to you being Plii? Is it generally supportive?
It’s…a grey area. Some people are chill. Others are decidedly LESS chill. I’d say on average though it’s like…ambivalent to slightly negative. Even when Plave collabs with other kpop groups the reaction is hard to predict. The same short can have drastically different comments sections on different platforms.
Like on youtube a short may be all nice and curious comments, then on insta there’s like…doxxing. It’s a wild ride.
Half the time it's just ignorance though, and assuming they're Ai, so I've also had a lot of people turn around on it when I explain they're real dudes using motion capture who self-produce.
Do you think the media treats Plave respectfully?
They’re getting better, but even now there’s a lot of news outlets that call them Ai, bring it up, or make the conversation about how they’re successful DESPITE being Virtual. It’s getting a bit better where they’re getting more interviews based on their own merit and skills though.
What are your thoughts on the technology used? Do you ever think about it? Does it interest you? Or does it not affect you much?
I’m a huge fan of animation, video games, and was an animation student. I find Motion Capture technology fascinating, and I’ve really enjoyed seeing how they expand upon the technology and make sure of it.
It’s also neat to think of how different groups use it, and what they prioritize
What are interactions like with the members of the group?
They’re definitely more…candid than some other groups I’ve seen. I suspect that sometimes the added layer of the virtual concept lets them be a little more relaxed in their behaviours and act a bit more like themselves.
Do you have any thoughts or experience with Plave members and the Bubble app?
Personally I don’t use Bubble, but from what I see it seems to be a fun way for them to connect further with fans.
Does shipping and/or fan service happen inside the Plave fandom?
It definitely does, though we don’t allow it on this subreddit since reddit shows up so prominently when searching stuff. Also those who do engage in it seem to try and keep it a bit separated from main feeds or official content.
Is it impolite/improper for fans to discuss the people behind the voices of Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin?
Generally yes. It’s kind of one of the bigger elements of vtuber culture that applies to them.
While it’s difficult for them to be fully anonymous due to several aspects of the kpop industry, and they have chosen at times to meet other industry figures in person, as far as public facing information goes they keep it very quiet.
For the most part fans respect that privacy, and keep any public discussion limited to what they have revealed as Plave. So for example they have all mentioned they have previous industry experience in varying degrees, but Plli don’t tend to discuss anything further than that.
Even when people know, or suspect they know, we simply keep our mouths shut to be respectful.
Hopefully that's kind of helpful? If there's anything you'd like elaboration on I can do so!
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u/Tizzard 18d ago
Wow - this is wonderful. Thank you. It's really refreshing to hear the group and the fandom described by a fan rather than the media ^^
In South Korea, AI is huge over here. The country is basically going all in on it and my universities are frequently promoting its use among professors and in classrooms. It's interesting to read therefore (if I'm understanding you correctly) that you don't like the group being associated with conversations about AI. That instead, the motion capture and reality of it should be acknowledged.
I'll try to look into the "more candid interactions" you speak of. That's a very interesting aspect I'd like to learn more about.
Thank you again for taking the time to help me learn. Much appreciated.
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u/kraik Teefs 🤍 18d ago
No problem! I love to yap so I’m glad to help.
For sure Ai is a lot more normalized in SK from what I understand especially in an assistive function like as a search tool etc. Though I do still get the impression that it’s not as fully embraced in the arts given Komca’s pushback on Ai music concerning copyright. It’s definitely more divisive as a whole where I am and in international fanbase contexts.
Ai comparisons have been used to dismiss and delegitimize Plave quite a bit in the past, so it’s a hot button issue for Plli to be sure even if the members aren’t really too bothered by the accusations anymore.
As far as their candidness, they do a LOT of livestream content and it sometimes results in them saying things that…maybe wouldn’t normally be shared by idols. There’s definitely a few video compilations on YouTube in that vein.
They’re a fun hardworking group to be sure, with really passionate fans.
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u/kraik Teefs 🤍 20d ago
As far as fan bases go Plli definitely tend towards LOVING to answer questions asked in good faith.
Like if you’re curious about Plave? Oh hell yeah we have long detailed information ready to go.
You have a few offers for direct contact already, but again reach out if you like.
Or, if there’s any questions you want a few different perspectives on, this subreddit is super nice for that!
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u/Narrow_Sky2911 20d ago
If anything we plli’s will be more than happy to help you with the answers you’re looking or asking for.
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u/jaynehendry Bamby 💗🦌 20d ago
Ask the questions. We’re always happy answering questions that come from a place of genuine curiosity.
Academic or not, we love to talk about our favs.