Artificial intelligence or AI has gone from miles to miles by being a convenient channel for communication, research, and other fields. Even artists have started to take advantage of it to enhance their voice or imitate other voices.
For Korean pop idol Lee Hyun Do, the use of AI has never been simple but it is important to unite with his late bandmate. He hopes to use the technology to revive the voice of Kim Sung Jae.
Reviving the Past: Deux's Legacy and Tragic Demise
Lee Do Hyun, an integral part of the iconic hip-hop duo Deux, emerged on the scene in 1993 alongside Kim Sung Jae. The duo produced three albums before parting ways.
Tragedy struck the duo's narrative when, pursuing solo careers, Kim Sung Jae met an untimely demise in 1995, just after his solo debut.
According to Koreaboo, a popular Korean celebrity news site, the circumstances surrounding his death were mysterious, with the discovery of 28 needle marks on his right arm, a detail noteworthy due to his right-handedness.
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AI-Powered Resurrection of Dead K-Pop Star
On Dec. 5, a captivating interview video of Lee Hyun Do surfaced on the NEW X Music Festival's social media. In this revelation, he disclosed that his upcoming fourth album would feature the voice of his departed bandmate, courtesy of artificial intelligence.
"To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Deux, I am participating in the NEW X Music Festival... I am currently working on my fourth album featuring the voice of the late Kim Sung Jae implemented through artificial intelligence," Lee Hyun Do said in the video.
Adding to the anticipation, Lee Hyun Do announced a joint performance with the renowned rock band H2O, active from 1986 to 1993. Their collaborative history dates back to 1993 when they joined forces on the track "Go Go Go" from Deux's second album, showcasing an avant-garde fusion of hip-hop and rock.
NEW X Music Festival Blast
Scheduled for Dec. 9 and 10, the NEW X Music Festival promises a spectacular lineup, including Lee Hyun Do, alongside K-Pop luminaries from the 1990s and early 2000s such as Taesaja, Click B, Roo'ra, and vocal powerhouses Kim Hyun Joong and Wax. This event is poised to be a nostalgic journey through the golden era of Korean pop music.
Speaking of AI, it is evident that more virtual K-pop bands are on the rise. For instance, a report by CNN points out that Pulse9, the creator behind Eternity band, believes that AI-generated artists can compete with real-life idols.
The virtual band is like any other human band where we can see dancers, rappers, and vocalists. However, you cannot touch them or feel them, but you could only watch them on the screen.
Creating a computer-made band is made possible with a real-time face swapping innovation. Of course, the creator also used an AI-generated voice for the online avatars.
In 2022, an AI-powered hologram made it possible for a deceased woman to speak at her burial. This might sound unbelievable but it is what it is when it comes to the power of AI.
