(Han YuA, a virtual human developed by Smilegate)

Asian Tech Press (Feb 15) -- South Korean video game developer and publisher Smilegate announced virtual star Han YuA has signed an exclusive contract with a subsidiary of K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment.

YG KPlus has signed on Han YuA, a virtual human developed by Smilegate, who will participate as a virtual-reality (VR) star in various fields such as broadcasting, Youtube, performance, and advertisement.

As the heroine of Smilegate's self-developed VR (virtual reality) game "FOCUS on YOU," which was released in 2019, Han was nurtured to become a virtual celebrity, having social accounts like Instagram, participating in various activities, etc.

"Han Yu A fits the needs of millennials and Generation Z, who look for something fresh and fun in new artists," YG KPlus CEO Ko Eun Kyung said in a statement.

She added, "We will not fall short of providing unsparing support and assistance for Han to establish itself as the main virtual artist in the metaverse industry."