[New Jobs] 'Virtuber,' Said to Be 100 Times Harder Than YouTubers... Big Success Awaits If You Make It

New Careers Featuring Characters on Broadcasts
Japan's 'Kizuna AI' Leads the Industry
Many Famous Agencies Also Emerging Domestically

Editor's NoteWith super-aging and ultra-low birth rates, along with the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, new changes are occurring in the world of occupations. We introduce the world of new jobs that open paths for new challenges in working life or a second act in life, called 'New Jobs.'

It is an era where virtual characters created by artificial intelligence (AI) act as influencers. But what if avatars are overlaid on real human faces and bodies?

A VTuber (Virtual YouTuber) refers to an internet broadcaster who appears on screen as a digital character instead of a person, using motion capture equipment.
[Image source=YouTube capture]

There is a new type of YouTuber that started from this idea. They are called Virtual YouTubers, or VTubers. Originating in Japan, VTubers landed in Korea several years ago and have gained popularity mainly among the 10-20 age group. The field has already expanded into a 'profession,' with professional graphic designers, equipment manufacturers, and agencies emerging rapidly.

Internet Broadcasters Leading with 'Characters' Instead of Humans

The first commercialized VTuber character is known to be "Kizuna AI," created in Japan. She was first revealed in December 2016.
[Image source=Kizuna AI YouTube channel]

VTubers refer to YouTubers who broadcast using virtual characters. They use 'motion capture' equipment that tracks human facial expressions and body movements to create a digital skeleton, onto which a graphic character is applied. VTubers never reveal their own faces or personal information. Instead, they actively promote the characters that roam the internet world.

The first VTuber is known as the Japanese character 'Kizuna Ai.' She debuted on YouTube in December 2016 and amassed an enormous popularity with a total of 3.4 million subscribers. She also generated huge income through advertisements, royalties, and product sales using the character. Since then, various VTubers imitating Kizuna Ai have emerged in Japan.

The domestic VTuber industry is moving in a direction similar to that of girl groups. The girl group 'Lee Sedol,' established by a famous YouTuber, released a song that ranked within the top 10 on the Melon chart last August. [Image source=YouTube]

The VTuber business is also expanding in Korea. A notable difference from Japan, the origin country, is that in Korea, VTubers combined with the girl group industry?so-called 'VTuber girl groups'?are dominant. For example, 'Isedol,' a VTuber girl group founded by famous YouTuber 'Uwakkud' in 2021, secured mainstream popularity by ranking 9th on the Melon chart in August last year.

High-Cost Equipment Worth Tens of Millions of Won Is Essential... A Profession Requiring 'Investment'

Motion capture is a technology that requires specialized equipment such as trackers, suits, and cameras. Professional equipment used in the film industry costs over hundreds of millions of won, and personal equipment also amounts to tens of millions of won. [Image source=Pixabay]

Currently, VTubers are growing alongside the YouTuber business. It is common for famous YouTubers to create their own 'VTuber characters.' VTubers receive enthusiastic responses from the main internet consumer group of 10-20-year-olds and have the appeal of using a character as a substitute instead of their real face.

However, becoming a VTuber has a higher entry barrier than being a YouTuber. Anyone with a camera and video editing skills can become a YouTuber, but VTubers need to invest in motion capture equipment and character graphic production.

Motion capture equipment is divided into facial capture, which tracks only facial expressions, and motion capture suits that track the entire body. Prices vary depending on the manufacturer, but more expensive products offer higher 'precision.' In other words, to create vivid characters, one must purchase high-priced equipment. Some high-end equipment costs between 20 to 30 million won.

Success Requires Both Technical and Entertainment Sense

On the other hand, having motion capture equipment alone does not complete the preparation. Designing the character is also a prerequisite. In the past, graphic designers were hired to render characters one by one, but recently, online platforms that create VTuber characters have become active. However, with so many VTubers emerging these days, designing a character that 'sticks in the viewer's mind' requires considerable effort and cost.

Major VTuber agencies support their VTubers with excellent designers, graphic engineers, and expensive equipment. However, unknown VTubers or those creating characters as a hobby must start under much more challenging conditions.

Since they cannot rely on experts, they must acquire a sense and knowledge of 2D/3D animation and design on their own.

In that sense, VTubers can be called 'comprehensive entertainers of the digital age' who must possess both entertainment sense and technical understanding.