For a virtual boy group, PLAVE continues to prove that they now stand with the top K-pop artists of today’s generation after achieving another record-breaking release with its fifth mini-album, “HYPERDRIVE.”
Hanteo Chart has unveiled that the collection’s sales in physical copies swiftly skyrocketed to 1,322,973 from October 13 to 19, the first week it hit the shelves.
The latest figures undeniably exceed their previous first-week record of 1,255,801, set earlier this year by “Caligo Pt.2”.
A success story
PLAVE marked its “HYPERDRIVE” comeback on October 12 with songs centring on various genres, such as dance-pop, bossa nova, rock, and R&B.
“HYPERDRIVE” is the fourth addition to PLAVE’s one-million-mark sales following “Caligo Pt.1”, “PLBBUU”, and “Caligo Pt.2”.
Its digital release also thrived on key streaming platforms in South Korea.
Fans hailed the album for its “chart domination” after all five tracks took the top five spots on Melon, Genie, and Bugs.
Two racing teams, one new chapter
“Star Trace” is the group’s first EDM-based dance-pop song for an album title track.
Its lyrics tell a story revolving around cosmic love and trust, reflecting the bond between the five members and their fans.
This connection spans the fictional worlds of Asterum, PLAVE’s universe, and Terra, the group’s term for Earth.
The four remaining tracks are “GGUN”, “Sweet Rain”, “The Answer Is Yes”, and “Rewind”.
“Rewind” is the first PLAVE song made with outside composers, a collaboration with hitmaker KENZIE and the composing team KZLAB.
The comeback uses a racing concept, with the members split into rival teams called YATAZ, the duo of Eunho and Bamby, and MADBAEZ, composed of Yejun, Noah, and Hamin.
“Star Trace” opens a new chapter of the band’s multi-dimensional sci-fi lore about abandoned webtoon characters who fight to maintain their existence and find their way back to the readers who still remember them.
PLAVE keeps climbing
Currently in their first world tour, “KEEP IT MANIC”, PLAVE is set to fly to Macao for a two-night concert at The Londoner Arena on October 31 and November 1.
Thereafter, their next tour stop will be in Los Angeles on November 14.
The five-member band debuted in March 2023 under South Korean entertainment and technology startup VLAST and has made their way up in the industry since.
It was the first virtual act to sell over a million copies in a debut week, with “Caligo Pt.1” in February 2025, and marks a rare milestone with its Billboard 200 debut with “Caligo Pt.2” in April 2026.
Real performers are behind these famous avatars who also handle their music and choreography.
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