South Korean singer-songwriter Jeon Young Rok is set to release a new collaborative single with AI-powered virtual artist ChaeA, highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence in music creation and artist collaboration.
Sound Republica, a company specializing in digital music intellectual property and virtual artist technologies, announced that the digital single “Don't Look Back” will be released globally on June 23 through more than 200 digital music platforms.
The project brings together one of Korea’s most recognizable veteran musicians and a next-generation virtual artist in what industry observers see as an example of how AI technologies are expanding beyond content generation into creative collaboration.
According to the company, Jeon participated directly in the production process, helping refine the emotional expression and vocal direction of the AI artist while also contributing to the song’s chorus arrangement. The goal was to create a performance that combines human artistic sensibility with advanced AI-driven vocal technology.
Unlike many AI music projects that focus primarily on technological demonstrations, the collaboration was designed as a commercial music release targeting both domestic and international audiences from the outset.
The project also incorporates AI-based voice synthesis and digital production technologies. Sound Republica said its production team utilized advanced audio and visual matching techniques to create a natural interaction between the veteran artist and the virtual performer.
The release comes as the global music industry continues to explore new applications for artificial intelligence. While concerns remain about AI replacing human creators, many companies are increasingly positioning the technology as a tool for collaboration rather than substitution.
Industry analysts say projects such as “Don't Look Back” could provide insight into how virtual artists and human performers may coexist in future entertainment ecosystems. The combination of established artists with AI-generated characters is also emerging as a potential model for expanding intellectual property across multiple digital platforms.
Kim Tae-yoon, co-CEO of Sound Republica, said the company views AI as a means of creating new opportunities for artists rather than replacing them.
“AI can serve as a platform for expanding creative expression and collaboration,” Kim said. “We plan to continue developing virtual artist intellectual property while working with artists from diverse backgrounds and generations.”
Sound Republica said it is preparing additional projects featuring ChaeA as part of its broader strategy to expand into the global digital entertainment market.
