‘Dream Idol’ OWIS, Bringed Out into the World [Sports Kyung X On-site]

The scene of the virtual group OWIS's pop-up 'OWIS Museum: Only When I Sleep'. Photo courtesy of Plus B

Virtual group OWIS (Serin, day , Summer, Soi , Uni ) is making a unique debut. Due to its high level of buzz since the production stage, it is reaching out to the world by hosting a debut pop-up and showroom, 'OWIS Museum: Only When I Sleep' (hereinafter 'OWIS Museum'), which embodies a dream world.

The 'OWIS Museup' pop-up store, visited by Sports Kyunghyang on the 25th, was charmingly decorated with the members' merchandise and traces, enough to attract fans. Held at The Hyundai Seoul until April 5, this event visualizes the worldview embedded in the team name, 'Only When I Sleep' (an idol you can meet when you are asleep), offering a unique kind of fun to OWIS fans and the general public.

The members' individual albums are on display. Photo | Reporter Lee Da-won

OWIS is a creative director Lee Hae-in This is a virtual girl group produced by [Name], and they are active based on a worldview centered on the keywords 'dreams' and 'sleep'. In particular, they have been receiving attention since before their debut as the first virtual girl group produced by Lee Hae-in, who restored her honor by overturning a ruling in court after being notified of being 'excluded from the debut group' following the ranking manipulation on 'Idol School', and who has a diverse producing career.

This pop-up store, held in collaboration with the global entertainment tech company Creative MUT, also reflects Lee Hae-in's sweat and effort. In the 'Wish Charm' corner, which is said to grant dreams, charm cards containing 'messages wishing for luck and encouragement' designed by Lee Hae-in herself are on display, adding to the significance as this aligns with the OWIS worldview that sings of dreams.

The actual diaries of the members (left) and handwritten signatures hidden here and there. Photo | Reporter Lee Da-won

Exhibited items range from the members' handwritten autographs to actual diaries containing their backstories, creating a sense of tangible presence. On a holographic screen set up on one side, the members pop out one by one to make eye contact and greet fans. Walking while looking in the mirror installed opposite gives a peculiar feeling, as if you are walking alongside the members on the screen. The giant desk and chair exhibits evoke the childlike wonder we once felt when everything seemed enormous, while a cozy quilt and bed symbolizing 'sleep' are placed on one side, serving as a unique photo zone. Additionally, messages personally signed by the members are hidden throughout the space, offering the fun of a childhood treasure hunt.

An official from Creative Meot explained to Sports Kyunghyang, “The combination of hologram content technology and entertainment is differentiated not only by being a simple pop-up store, but also by conveying to fans the feeling that virtual idols are actually present, and allowing artists to expand their activities across a wider spectrum. Furthermore, real-life idols can hold autograph sessions from a distance and even have real conversations based on hologram content technology, which is why it is sometimes referred to as an ‘MZ video call session’ among the younger generation. We believe it is that competitive.” The official added, “Over 1,000 fans visited last weekend alone.”

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