Cover AI influencers like South Korea’s Rozy Oh reflect today’s consumer behaviours and tomorrow’s digital landscapes. (Photo: Instagram / @rozy.gram)
AI influencers like South Korea’s Rozy Oh reflect today’s consumer behaviours and tomorrow’s digital landscapes. (Photo: Instagram / @rozy.gram)
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From fashion icons to pop stars, these hyper-real AI influencers are blurring the line between human and machine, and rewriting the rules of online fame
The future of influence has arrived, and it’s not human. Across Asia, a new generation of stars is captivating millions with flawless features, perfect lives and carefully curated personalities—all entirely computer-generated.
And the market is booming: Grand View Research estimates the Asia-Pacific virtual influencer industry was worth US$1.24 billion in 2023 and could soar to US$14.9 billion by 2030—a staggering 42.7 per cent compound annual growth rate, making APAC the fastest-growing region in the world.
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Riding this wave are Asian AI influencers who are achieving engagement rates up to three times higher than their human counterparts and securing major brand deals. From Japan’s art-focused digital tastemaker to South Korea’s forever-22 K-pop idol, virtual personalities are becoming cultural phenomena that reflect unique digital landscapes and consumer behaviours. Today and tomorrow, these AI superstars are reshaping how influence is created, monetised and controlled across the region.
Imma
AI snapshot: the embodiment of Tokyo’s tech-art fusion
Japan’s Imma represents the perfect marriage of technology and artistry that defines Tokyo’s creative landscape. Created by Aww Inc, her hyper-realistic features and signature pink bob haircut blur the lines between CGI and reality. Imma embodies trendy Tokyo street style while maintaining her status as a living digital art piece—a concept that works well in Japan’s aesthetic-obsessed market. Her brand portfolio includes collaborations with Dior, Valentino, Nike, Porsche and Lenovo.
Rozy
AI snapshot: the perfect K-pop idol, reimagined
South Korea’s Rozy Oh is the cultural product of the Hallyu phenomenon and the K-pop idol system. Perpetually 22 years old, she embodies the beauty standards favoured by Korea’s Gen MZ demographic. More than a static model, Rozy sings, dances and engages emotionally with fans, mirroring the multi-talented K-pop archetype. Nicknamed the “expression expert”, she was designed to build the deep personal connections that define Korean fan culture—a strategy that has earned the AI influencer more than 100 sponsorships.
Ayayi
AI snapshot: the face of social commerce
China’s Ayayi shows how AI influencer technology adapts to local digital ecosystems. Described as a meta-human, she’s the virtual embodiment of “Zhongcao”—the recommendation-based marketing strategy dominating Chinese consumer culture. With over a million followers on Weibo, she taps into China’s frictionless content-to-purchase platforms, and her collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Guerlain and Porsche show her reach among young, affluent and digitally savvy consumers.
Kyra
AI snapshot: the aspirational dreamer for a digital-first nation
Indian AI influencer Kyra represents the digital awakening of the nation’s massive creator economy. Her persona as a 22-year-old Mumbai-based model and traveller is crafted to be both aspirational and relatable to India’s enormous youth population. With over 240,000 Instagram followers, she symbolises modern ambitions through lifestyle and travel content. Brand collaborations with Amazon Prime Video, L’Oréal and local electronics brand Boat also showcase her cross-sector appeal.
Naevis
AI snapshot: the character born from K-pop lore
South Korea’s Naevis represents a unique top-down approach to AI influencer creation. Born from the intricate lore of global K-pop group Aespa, she didn’t build an organic following but leveraged existing fanbase loyalty. Within SM Entertainment’s Culture Universe, she serves as Aespa’s digital sidekick in the virtual world of Kwangya. Her 2024 solo debut with the single “Done” shows how entertainment companies are turning established intellectual property into independently monetisable virtual assets. In August 2025, Naevis released her latest single “Sensitive”, continuing her solo career beyond Aespa.
Thalasya
AI snapshot: the voice of Southeast Asian wanderlust
Indonesia’s Thalasya taps into Southeast Asia’s affinity for travel and lifestyle content. Her globetrotting persona features exotic destinations while maintaining regional relevance through Indonesian locations and local brand partnerships. With over 450,000 Instagram followers, Thalasya has expanded beyond endorsements into direct-to-consumer commerce, co-owning clothing line Yipiiiii. Her Samsung Galaxy A series campaign also hit the mark with Gen Z and millennials across the region.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
