The moment you put on a virtual reality (VR) headset, it’s just Cha Eunwoo and me, entering a world of our own. The romance film Cha Eunwoo VR Concert: Memories, which lets viewers build a relationship with the singer and actor Cha Eunwoo, was released exclusively at CGV theaters on the 18th. While VR concerts featuring groups like aespa and TOMORROW X TOGETHER have been shown in theaters before, this one has evolved into an interactive format where the storyline changes depending on the audience’s choices.

On the 23rd, I entered the screening room at Yongsan CGV and found a VR headset placed on every seat. Once the device was on my head, the video began as the lens focused my vision. The device also recognized hand gestures, allowing me to move my hand like a mouse to choose the next scene. It was a weekday afternoon, and only about ten people were present. Watching Cha Eunwoo dance right in front of me while waving my hand from my seat made my head spin—it felt like I was a character in the sci-fi drama Black Mirror.

The biggest appeal was the level of immersion that made it feel like Cha Eunwoo’s face was just 10 cm away. The likeness to the real person was nearly perfect, showcasing how advanced the technology had become. Among fans, it’s already dubbed “the Cha Eunwoo in-person experience film.” Cutting-edge tech was used, including ultra-high-definition 12K live-action filming and visual effects that recreated the virtual stage to look real.

Lee Seungjoon, CEO of VR content company Amaze, which produced the film, said, “AI technology allowed us to drastically reduce budget and production time. From tracking the VR camera’s movements in a digital space to separating the performer from the green screen, we actively use AI in many stages.”

Experiencing the Cha Eunwoo VR Concert

The camera moved up, down, and side to side, capturing even the crown of Cha Eunwoo’s head—something I’d never expected to see in my life. I could practically count each strand of hair. During stage scenes, it felt like he was making eye contact while singing to me. When he danced and revealed his abs, I instinctively looked away from embarrassment—but there was nowhere to escape in VR. I couldn’t help but wonder how far VR technology might go to fulfill fan fantasies.

For fans, it’s the ultimate gift. For non-fans, though, the pseudo-romantic storyline could feel awkward. From the opening, Cha Eunwoo’s voice guides you: “This film is a romantic fantasy. The leads of this romance will be you and me.” In the story, Cha Eunwoo, heartbroken after a breakup with “me,” tears up in anguish and drunkenly texts, pleading not to be left. Sweet lines follow as he gazes into the camera, whispering “You’re beautiful” and “I love you.”

No one would choose this movie for the plot—the script was bland at best. In some scenes, I couldn’t help imagining real-life Cha Eunwoo reciting these lines to a camera, which made me realize being an idol might just be the ultimate tough job. The interactive elements, where viewers choose the story direction, appear three times, but the variations only affect minor changes in background or props, not the plot itself.

With a runtime of 58 minutes, tickets cost ₩33,000 KRW (~$24 USD)—more than double that of a regular movie. Still, fans who saw it came out deeply satisfied. A fan in her 40s from the U.S. said, “I became a fan after watching his drama. This was such a joyful experience during my trip,” giving a thumbs-up. A viewer surnamed Choi (33), who’s been a Cha Eunwoo fan for eight years, said, “It was great to see his face up close, which I’d only seen on TV.” When asked if there was anything lacking, she said, “The only downside was that it was too short.” The film will release sequentially in Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam following Korea.

Will narrative films—not just concerts—eventually be experienced in VR? Amaze CEO Lee said, “In films like Marvel’s, which are mostly computer-generated, certain scenes can already be converted into VR.” He added, “Being in the same space as the Avengers or experiencing the fantastical world of Avatar in VR will offer something ordinary screens never can.”

Source 1