A new K-pop fan community app called UNIVERSE has officially launched today (January 28) from developers NCSOFT.
The platform will allow fans to communicate with artists in various forms, from receiving messages, photos and videos from groups, to interacting with AI-recorded voices of the artists.
UNIVERSE will also feature a range of new and exclusive content, including new music and reality shows. Kang Daniel will star in his own show Agent Blackjack K, while Monsta X will feature in Area 51: The Code.
Fans will also be able to watch exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from artists, produce their own virtual music videos and dress avatars of their favourite artists.
Other artists on the app so far include Astro, (G)I-DLE, Ateez, Cosmic Girls, IZ*ONE, AB6IX, CIX, The Boyz and more.
So far, IZ*ONE are the only artist to release original music in conjunction with UNIVERSE. The girl group shared their new single ‘D-D-Dance’ earlier today.
While some aspects of UNIVERSE are free, communicating with artists requires a paid membership to be purchased. The app can be downloaded from app stores for free worldwide now.
Next month, NCSOFT will celebrate the launch of UNIVERSE with a free virtual concert. As well as the artists already signed up to the app, the event – dubbed UNI-KON – will also see performances from Oh My Girl, Cravity and Wei.
The launch of UNIVERSE follows the release of two other K-pop fan community apps. In 2019, Big Hit Entertainment launched Weverse, a social media space where fans could communicate with each other and artists including BTS, Tomorrow X Together, GFriend and Seventeen. Since its launch, Weverse has added more artists outside of Big Hit’s roster, including the likes of CL, Dreamcatcher, and US singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams.
JYP Entertainment, meanwhile, launched JYP Bubble in November 2020. The app allows fans to receive messages from their favourite JYP artists if they purchase a subscription, or join chat rooms with fellow fans.
