Virtual K-pop group PLAVE has announced a cyber F1 racing-themed comeback next month, marking a new chapter in the digital world of Asterum after nearly six months.
The band closes its “Caligo Pt. 2” era to make room for its upcoming fifth extended play, “HYPERDRIVE,” to be released on October 12, its agency Vlast confirmed.
A countdown to ‘HYPERDRIVE’
PLAVE’s Weverse community notified fans of their official promotion schedule for “HYPERDRIVE” on September 17, commencing the launch of teaser content.
The album title was first unveiled through a poster designed with skid marks on asphalt posted a day before the promotion schedule announcement.
Given a clear teaser lineup, fans can look forward to a concept film, two rounds of concept photos, visual samplers, a track list reveal on October 6, a physical album preview on October 7, a highlight medley on October 8, and a music video teaser before the awaited release day.
PLAVE has been known for its concept of interconnected stories revolving around the Asterum universe.
And for this comeback, members Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho and Hamin presented their new concept as race car drivers through a concept film dropped on September 18.
The members’ silhouettes shown against race cars made a fitting visual metaphor for their album “HYPERDRIVE.”
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Tour dates announced
The digital album and title track music video will drop on October 12 at 6pm KST, with the physical release following on October 13.
Physical copies will come in three distinct versions – “PLBBUU,” “Towel,” and “Racer” – with preorders already underway.
Amid their comeback preparations, PLAVE has opened its first world tour, “Keep It Manic,” with back-to-back shows this past weekend at Incheon Munhak Stadium.
The tour continues later this month with a two-night stop in Kanagawa, Japan, on September 26 and 27, before heading to additional cities including Kaohsiung, Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, Macau, and Los Angeles.
PLAVE has been actively proving that virtual idols can make a name in K-pop since their successful debut under Vlast in March 2023.
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