[Edaily Starin Reporter KIM HYUNSIK ] The actual vocalists behind virtual idol groups are joining the Korea Music Performers Association (KMPA) one after another.

KAPM announced on the 23rd, “The actual performers who sang the songs for the virtual idol group Biden have recently joined the association as members.”
KOMPA is a copyright trust organization that collects and distributes neighboring rights royalties for music performers, including singers, instrumentalists, traditional Korean musicians, vocalists, and conductors.
Although virtual idols feature digital characters at the forefront, the actual performers—singers or musicians—are the ones who express the music. The Association explained, “While the content is centered on character intellectual property (IP), the performances are carried out by real people, so they too are eligible for the protection of their legitimate rights as music performers.”
Previously, the actual vocalists behind the virtual idols Saja Boys and Huntrix—who debuted through the Netflix animated series *K-Pop Demon Hunters*—have also joined KORMPA as members. The actual vocalists for the virtual idol groups Isekai Idol and PlayV have likewise completed their membership registration with KORMPA.
Kim Seung-min, Executive Director of the K-Music Performers’ Association, stated, “It is the K-Music Performers’ Association’s fundamental principle that performers’ rights must be equally protected regardless of changes in the form of content,” adding, “In line with the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual content, we will continue to enhance our rights protection system so that music performers across various fields can receive their rightful rights and compensation.”