Virtual K-pop Star APOKI Releases 1st Original Japanese Song "Hold On"

Virtual K-pop star APOKI released her 6th single "Hold On" to the public today, August 9. "Hold On" is a chill pop song created by a rich assembly of songwriters from Japan, South Korea and the US.

• This is her first original Japanese song, produced by major songwriter Chizzy Stephens, who wrote songs for Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and DJ Snake.
• Songwriter Mayu Wakisaka—who collaborated with TWICE, NiziU, OH MY GIRL and Tomorrow X Together—wrote the song's lyrics.

Alongside the single's release, a music video is already posted on YouTube, featuring cutting-edge 3D computer graphics. The music video also features two important items:

• Lotte's Watermelon Bar popsicle, highly popular in both Japan and South Korea,
• and Yoshitaka Amano's illustration CANDY GIRL rendered in 3D.

The virtual star and influencer spoke about the concept of the song:

“As someone who loves Japan, it has been my dream to sing an original Japanese song someday. When we were shooting the music video, I got asked what my favorite popsicle was, and I replied, ‘WATERMELONBAR’.

"Lucky for me, we got LOTTE’s support and WATERMELONBAR appears in this music video! The popsicle is cute and yummy, and I always want to eat it in the summertime.

"I learned for the first time that the Watermelon Bar is loved for a long time in both Japan and South Korea. This summer, please dance and sing along to this music video, which I extremely love!”

Listen to "Hold On" on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon Music.

APOKI's also announced that her long-awaited first album, "SPACE," will be released this autumn.

The virtual artist is no stranger to collaborations, as she collaborated with Sony Honda Mobility's Afeela electric vehicle, which appeared in the music video for her single "Mood V5" released February this year.

• She also recently participated in Girls²'s EP "Countdown" which was released last May.
• Her first live performance at Dreamhack Japan 2023 also helped her gain much attention.
• "West Swing," her first English-language single featuring rapper E-40, was released last year.

In an interview with Virtual Humans, she described herself as "A rabbit drawing a map for future virtual influencers."

Source: Press Release / © VV Entertainment