“Give Him A Wig”: Aespa’s AI Naevis Goes Viral For Her Uncanny Rsemblance To NCT’s Doyoung

SM Entertainment girl group æspa “fifth member” Nævis is making her debut.

æspa with Nævis | SM Entertainment

The group’s lore has long been intertwined with the Metaverse, with each member having their own computer-generated æ-aespa counterparts.

aespa’s Karina and her counterpart. | @aespa_official/X

Nævis (also known as NAVIS or Naevis) is another AI (Artificial Intelligence) in aespa’s universe. She is responsible for helping the group and their avatars coexist as they fight the fictional Black Mamba villain.

Nævis | aespa/YouTube

On January 25, 2023, SM Entertainment announced that Nævis would make her official stage debut in March of that year. SM Entertainment’s CEO Lee Sung Soo (also known as Chris Lee) revealed the company’s plans to present her as an “AI artist.”

At the time, Nævis’ voice was reported to have been created through the analysis of twelve different voice actors. Her official debut stage was reported to happen at the international music festival SXSW (also known as South By South West), with a VR concert featuring the four members and Nævis.

Naevis, who had only appeared so far as a CG image in aespa’s music videos, is in plans to be shown as an AI artist. She will be an artist born by mobilizing skills for natural movements, newly created voice, and real time communication.

— SM Entertainment CEO Lee Sung Soo

Despite these reports, the festival occurred, but Nævis did not make her debut there. Fans had wondered if SM Entertainment scrapped the idea of Nævis’ solo debut.

Did SM Entertainment just forget about Naevis’s debut?
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Yet, Nævis has officially made her debut on September 10 with the single “Done.” SM Entertainment reportedly utilized the power of AI-generated content and a voice crafted using advanced AI techniques to make her debut happen.

| SM Entertainment

Ahead of her debut, SM Entertainment launched social media channels for Nævis and dropped a set of concept photos for the debut single, “Done.” It showcased the AI idol’s stunning visuals with the backdrop of her virtual world.

| @naevisSMTOWN/X

| @naevisSMTOWN/X

| @naevisSMTOWN/X

Many netizens reacted to her debut appearance. Some said she appears to be a mix of the æspa members’ visuals. Some even see a resemblance to Red Velvet‘s Wendy.

Now, after the release of the “Done” MV, Nævis is being compared to yet another SM Entertainment idol.

Since Nævis made her debut, netizens have noticed a resemblance to NCT‘s Doyoung. Some joked that she looks like him with a wig.

DOYOUNG IS NAEVIS?????? pic.twitter.com/ZmQjqMqIAG

— fitri cha (ᓀ‸ᓂ) (@doiebluesky) September 10, 2024

Naevis Kim Doyoung pic.twitter.com/51mxp3xCQ0

— Pus… 🌼 (@26njd77) August 30, 2024

sm insisting on using gen ai stuff for nævis is funny bc when they could literally just fetch doyoung & give him a wig https://t.co/mIBDVZYpYM

— 🀣 (@assumesform) August 30, 2024

couldn’t remember which pic of him she reminds me of but still 😭😭😭 https://t.co/xp8g70wQNY pic.twitter.com/iQGwNTasOd

— B²⁶𐙚 ꒰ᐢ⸝⸝ᓀ ·̭ ᓂ⸝⸝ᐢ꒱ 🐇🤍 (@dobunnyyy) September 10, 2024

Naevis is literally kim doyoung in day dream mv pic.twitter.com/y4h7MXtPRs

— joseph (@namabug) August 24, 2024

Many netizens are wondering if Doyoung was used as the blueprint or character reference when designing Nævis. Fans hope they’re running him his check.

naevis was made with doyoung’s face in the blueprint, they wanted a doyoung 2.0 and made ai girlyoung instead 😭 https://t.co/ks3CdHzftc

— little wave, (@doiemp3) September 1, 2024

Real. https://t.co/1nOIymuX2Y pic.twitter.com/ACk3MDcxRx

— KJ | 8.26 ‘J’ (@96Sijakz) September 11, 2024

Sm better pay doyoung coz NAEVIS is literally doyoung wtf fbdjdkk pic.twitter.com/yu8Yexy4JZ

— little light 🤍🌊 (@ddoingxo) September 10, 2024

On the other hand, some netizens are finding issues with the AI idol’s debut. Read more below.

Aespa’s AI Naevis Triggers Divided Reactions With Her Upcoming Solo Debut