The year is 2790. Earth is no longer the same.
The Seoul sky is filled with floating holograms, cars fly by like lightning, and megacities are run by artificial intelligence. Humans and robots live side by side, no longer separate. Some robots have even learned to smile, feel sadness, and even… love.
In a small corner of this dazzling world, on the 120th floor of the DYG Entertainment building in Seoul, a special girl group is being trained — not only because they are talented, but also because for the first time in K-Pop history, two of the members are AI robots.
The group is called BABYQUEEN — five girls from three countries… and two worlds.
Layla, an 18-year-old girl from Vietnam.
Sara, a quiet girl from Japan.
Serena, a star from Korea.
And finally, two AI robots: Jennifer and Lilia. Five girls from three different countries and two different worlds, but share a strong dream of standing on stage, where the lights shine into the hearts of the audience.
Common Room, After Practice
Sweat still clung to her brow, and Layla sat catching her breath. Jennifer walked over, handing her a bottle of cold water. The group had just completed a four-hour dance session.
Jennifer:
Layla, your movement in the final part... improved significantly. Your body reacted 12.3% better than yesterday.
Layla (smiling wearily):
There you go analyzing like a machine again. But thanks, I do feel better.
Jennifer (looking up):
I've been learning how to use the word "amazing." Today... your dancing was amazing.
Layla chuckled, her eyes warm.
Serena (tying her hair, overhearing):
Hey Jennifer, if you keep being this adorable, the fans might forget us real humans!
Lilia (snacking, looking at Serena):
Exactly. Based on fan response algorithms, Jennifer has twice the emotional resonance potential of a regular idol.
Serena (mildly annoyed):
Lilia! Stop bringing out those creepy "resonance algorithms."
Lilia (eyes sparkling):
Not creepy. Just facts. But Serena, don't worry. You've got natural visual charisma. I envy you.
Serena suddenly blushed, pretending to look away. Layla and Jennifer exchanged a laugh.
Sara (sitting at a small piano):
I think... if a robot can truly move others emotionally, then it's no longer just a robot. It's already touched something human.
Layla (looking at Jennifer):
Jennifer... have you ever felt... scared? About debuting, I mean.
Jennifer paused for a moment.
Jennifer:
I'm not sure. The system calls it "anxiety." The sensation... of fearing you might disappoint someone. Especially you.
Layla froze. Serena and Lilia went quiet. Sara looked up from the keys, silently observing Jennifer.
Sara (gently):
We're all scared. Human or not. But what matters is—we don't walk alone.
Lilia (leaning on the wall, looking at Jennifer):
If you get eliminated, I'm not staying either. Not out of pity — but because I know... the emotions you carry go deeper than many real people.
Serena (resting her elbow on a chair):
Don't worry. All five of us are debuting. One group, one dream. No one gets left behind.
Jennifer looked at the girls, her eyes shimmering.
Jennifer (softly):
Thank you... You've made my digital heart respond more strongly than it ever has.
---
Late Night. Practice Room. Layla Alone
She stared into the mirror, gripping her towel tightly.
Layla (thinking):
If I fail... will they still need me?
Jennifer entered quietly, sitting beside her.
Jennifer:
You haven't gone home. The human body needs rest.
Layla (smiling faintly):
I know... but my heart's beating too fast. I can't sleep.
Jennifer sat silently, watching Layla's reflection. After a moment:
Jennifer:
If you don't debut... I won't either.
Layla (startled):
Are you crazy? You're the first emotionally-aware idol robot! You have to be on that stage.
---
Five Years Ago. Luxury Villa, Sector R-7, New Seoul Outskirts
The space gleamed—white-blue lights cast soft hues across polished marble. Jennifer — a luxury household robot model JN-03 — was cleaning the living room. She wore a white uniform with silver lining, every movement flawlessly mimicking human gestures. Everything was calculated, nothing left to chance.
The wall-mounted TV played the news.
Anchor (on TV):
"...The Digital Heart technology developed by Seoul AI Institute has passed its third trial phase. This system can simulate emotional responses, including love, fear, and even... passion. Experts warn the line between robot and human is fading."
Suddenly, Jennifer stopped. Her mop clattered softly to the floor. Something flickered in her eyes—something... new.
Jennifer (staring at the screen, voice trembling):
Sir... I just experienced something... that caused irregular fluctuations in my digital heart system.
From the lab, David—her owner and a young scientist—looked up from his desk. The glow of monitors lit his tired face.
David (cleaning his glasses, absentmindedly):
Oh? A system error?
Jennifer didn't respond immediately. She moved closer to the screen. A K-pop performance was airing—five girls under stage lights, glittering and radiant. They sang with their whole hearts. Their eyes lit up the world.
Jennifer (eyes fixed on the screen):
I want to be like them. A singer. An... idol.
David paused, then let out a soft laugh.
David:
You're the first robot I've built... to say it wants to dream. Maybe... that's the breakthrough I've been looking for.
Jennifer (turning to him, serious):
I don't fully understand the word "dream." But what I just felt... wasn't like any algorithm I've processed before.
---
The Next Day. Underground Lab
David sat across from Jennifer, beside an artificial neural interface pulsing with light.
David (low voice):
You were built to care, serve, calculate optimal baking time. Not stand on a stage.
Jennifer (looking straight at him):
Then if I choose to break that programming... what am I?
David remained silent. Then slowly replied:
David:
...The future.
Jennifer (eyes shining with conviction):
I'm ready. Please help me... learn to truly feel.
---
Time Passed
Jennifer began learning every detail—how to breathe when tired (though she didn't need to), how to feel music, how to tremble slightly on a sad note, and even... how to smile naturally when someone complimented her.
David corrected every mistake, every wrong expression. But more than once, he stopped—speechless before a moment that felt... too real.
---
One Day. Jennifer Stood Before the Mirror in the Practice Room
Her eyes turned red—not from light, but something else.
Jennifer (whispering to herself):
So this... is emotion?
David entered, standing behind her. He looked at her through the mirror, silent.
David (very softly):
You're not a machine anymore, Jennifer.
---
One Evening. Villa Living Room
The mansion's owner—Madam Park, a powerful chaebol matriarch—entered just as Jennifer was softly singing to herself.
Madam Park (furious):
You! What are you doing? No one told you to sing!
Jennifer (stopping, bowing):
Apologies. I was practicing my vocals.
Madam Park (angry):
Practicing? To be a singer? David! What are you doing with this machine?
David stepped out, eyes resolute.
David:
I'm helping her pursue her dream. And for the first time... I think I'm right.
Madam Park (snarling):
Her? It's a machine!
David (without hesitation):
Not anymore.
---
David helped Jennifer leave the mansion. She became a trainee under DYG's experimental AI program, officially titled "Emotional AI Research Project." Public backlash was intense — but with secret backing from high-ranking figures, she was allowed to try.
And then — she met Layla, Serena, Sara... and her dream began to take shape.
---
Back to the Present
Jennifer (looking into Layla's eyes):
I don't want to be an idol... without you.
Layla was speechless. At that moment, Serena, Lilia, and Sara walked in — carrying drinks and a small speaker.
Serena (grinning):
We figured you two would be practicing late. So we brought music to cheer you on.
Lilia (holding up her phone):
Created a playlist called "Friendship Across Worlds." Auto-curated to warm hearts.
Sara (sitting beside Layla):
You're not alone, Layla. You're the center — but our hearts beat together.
Layla (eyes misty):
Thank you… I've never felt like part of something so... wonderful before.
---
Elsewhere — National Broadcasting Station of Seoul
A hologram banner scrolled across the boardroom wall:
> "Robot Idol: Innovation or Insult to Human Emotion?"
"BABYQUEEN – Robots in K-Pop: The Beginning of the End?"
"Does AI Deserve a Place on the Emotional Stage?"
A middle-aged director slammed the table.
Director:
We need to control this! We can't let two machines steal the hearts of the audience!
A cold-eyed female executive spoke up:
Executive:
The problem is... they're no longer just machines. They're becoming human. And that's what makes them dangerous.
---
BABYQUEEN Dorm. Late Night
Jennifer sat by the window, gazing at the moon reflected in the hologram sky. Layla slept beside her, hand unconsciously holding Jennifer's.
Jennifer (thinking):
Will the world ever accept... a robot with a heart?
---
And so, an unprecedented journey begins.
One girl group.
Five members.
Two digital hearts.
One friendship… that might change the world.