The New Media: Virtual Idols
Han Jiang
With the presence of more and more virtual characters, such as virtual signers, virtual models and virtual YouTubers, a younger generation has begun to worship these virtual characters as idols. Fans follow their idols on social media, attend their concerts and buy related branded merchandise. Moreover, many fans, including adults, fall in love with these virtual characters as fans search for connection, companionship and even intimacy. In the extreme, some fans believe these virtual characters are real and, extraordinarily, even marry virtual love interests as replacements of real-life interactions and relationships. Thus, these virtual characters are a new, problematic and far-reaching form of media.
What is virtual?
In this video, I want to ask audiences several question about their impression of the virtual.Interviews of Fans
I invited some fans to experience my VR video of their idols and asked them if they like it.VR video of virtual idol
The VR video I made, and some fans experienced it.Virtual World
A video I made for introducing virtual community to public.Scene Synthesis of Virtual Idol
A video that combined the computer-generated virtual objects and the real image space, to show what will happen in the future to audience.
Remix of virtual idols and real objects
