Weverse Aggressively Expands... Also Acquires Japan's National Idol AKB48

Official Community Opens on the 27th
DM Service Starts from the 2nd of Next Month
Includes Former IZ*ONE Member Honda Hitomi

Japan's 'national idol' AKB48 is landing on Weverse. AKB48 was also the first to apply the newly introduced 'Private Message' service on Weverse. This is interpreted as Weverse making a bold move towards global expansion following the launch of a messaging feature targeting 'Bubble' the day before.

Weverse, a fandom platform subsidiary of HYBE, announced on the 25th, "We are opening AKB48's official community and the private chat service 'Weverse DM'." Weverse will launch AKB48's official community on the 27th. Starting from the 2nd of next month, the DM service will begin, providing a platform for closer communication between artists and fans.

AKB48 debuted in 2005. Through events like the 'AKB48 Senbatsu Sousenkyo' and 'Request Hour,' they rose to become Japan's representative idol group. They are an all-around idol group excelling in variety shows and acting as well. On the 26th, they will release their 61st single, 'Amur?do N? Suk?.' AKB48 has over 80 members. Initially, 16 members selected for the album's title track will join the platform first, with other members joining sequentially. Among them is Honda Hitomi, formerly of IZ*ONE. Other members include Oguri Yui, Kashiwagi Yuki, and Mukai Chi Mion. Honda Hitomi expressed her excitement about joining Weverse, saying, "I am very happy and thrilled to interact with fans worldwide through Weverse."

To commemorate the opening of the AKB48 community and DM on Weverse, a hashtag posting event will be held from the 28th to the 2nd. Fans who leave a warm welcome message with the hashtag #WELCOME_AKB48 in the AKB48 community will be entered into a draw to win an autographed item by AKB48. Winners will be announced on May 12th through the AKB48 community. Additionally, to celebrate the launch of AKB48 Weverse DM, an event offering extra subscription days for subscription payments made by June 1st will be held. Detailed event information can be found on the Weverse community.