{
  "id": 6769077,
  "title": "Why K-pop vocal coaches behind EXO, aespa are betting on virtual idols in Japan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/why-k-pop-vocal-coaches-behind-exo-aespa-are-betting-on-virtual-idols",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T15:37:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/music/20260912/why-k-pop-vocal-coaches-behind-exo-aespa-are-betting-on-virtual-idols-in-japan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two of K-pop's most respected vocal coaches, Jang Jin-young and Kim Seong-pil, are venturing into uncharted territory by creating a virtual idol group for the Japanese market. Jang has mentored a host of SM Entertainment acts, including EXO, Red Velvet, SHINee and aespa. Kim, on the other hand, focuses on Japan-based artists at The Black Label and LDH-affiliated XG. For the past two decades, the vocal directors have honed the voices of countless starlets. They co-founded A-TOP Company in 2013 and later A-TOP Universe to cultivate their own acts. Their debut venture is a \"2.5D\" virtual idol comprising five members, blending Japanese subculture with K-pop's production system.",
  "summary": "It’s hard to say exactly how many K-pop artists have trained under Jang Jin-young and Kim Seong-pil, two of the industry’s most prominent vocal directors, or received their guidance in the recording studio. Jang has trained numerous SM Entertainment acts, including EXO, Red Velvet, SHINee, NCT, aespa, RIIZE and Hearts2Hearts. Kim currently works primarily with artists at The Black Label, while…",
  "key_points": [
    "Jang Jin-young and Kim Seong-pil are K-pop vocal coaches.",
    "They create a 2.5D virtual idol group for Japan.",
    "The virtual idol blends Japanese subculture with K-pop."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Why K-pop vocal coaches behind EXO, aespa are betting on virtual idols in Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/why-k-pop-vocal-coaches-behind-exo-aespa-are-betting-on-virtual-idols-6770938",
        "published": "2026-09-11T16:02:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}