K-Pop Star Mark Tuan Gets AI Twin: Everything to Know

Fans of rapper/singer Mark Tuan who'd like to get to know him a little better now have a unique opportunity to learn more about the musician: By hanging out with his "digital twin."

Dubbed "Digital Mark," the AI version of the former K-pop band Got7 member is the first celebrity-endorsed OpenAI’s GPT integration, artificial intelligence technology that allows fans to engage in one-on-one conversations with an avatar.

Tuan, who worked with AI leader Soul Machines to attach his likeness to the project, says that his digital twin is a novel way to engage with his fanbase.

“It’s very different. It’s not really me, but it is me,” he told AP. “It’s a cool thing, that fans get to interact with him, too.”

Tuan explained to the outlet that creating "Digital Mark" involved several days of filming in a motion capture bodysuit, plus a day of creating emotive facial expressions and time in the studio to "get my voice recognition."

Tuan, whose latest EP Fallin' came out on Friday, also noted that his fans are having fun trying to worm information about upcoming music and tour dates out of his digital copy, “which is the relationship the fans have with me,” he laughs. He admits his twin has given out false information about an upcoming tour.

Right now, the digital character "just stands there," but Tuan hopes that one day eventually it will move around, as well as have the capability to converse in several different languages.

"Digital Mark" is not only a fun experience for Tuan's fans, he represents a starting point for where fan interaction may develop in the future.

“While Digital Mark is the first Digital Celebrity Twin of its kind, we’re only at the beginning of how autonomous animation will reshape how individuals across the globe interact with celebrities and brands,” Greg Cross, CEO of Soul Machines said in a statement.