Cyber babe's 'creepy' look is a turn-off - Netizens give Korea's first cyber star thumbs down
By Chang May Choon
February 28, 2008
SHE is hailed as the first 'cyber actress' in Korea, complete with simulated good looks and a faux biodata.
Her lack of expression and 'soulless' eyes also gave some the creeps.
But JoA's first attempt at dancing has been gunned down by netizens who slammed her animated moves as 'creepy' and 'disgusting'.
Created by two CGI companies in Korea, she exists only in cyberspace, reported My Daily.
Her photos and profile - born in 1986, 1.69m tall - were first released to the media last November, spawning much discussion online.
Her so-called managers announced plans to launch an official fan club and a series of products starring JoA, such as online games and mini-dramas.
If successful, JoA could be as famous as Japanese manga character Sailor Moon, or the virtual actress Simone in the Al Pacino movie named after her.
But, going by the reactions online, JoA's budding career may be doomed to fail.
In a one-minute 3D video clip released last week, she is seen doing the 'Tell Me Dance', popularised by Korean girl band Wonder Girls.
Clad in a long yellow sweater that gives a peek of black hotpants, JoA flails her arms and gyrates her hips in what appears to be her own bedroom.
Netizens lashed out at her awkward moves, expressionless face, bad hair and poor fashion sense.
A posting on the Popseoul forum noted: 'She is nothing more than a glorified character from (online game) Second Life, so it's natural that her dance moves look like nothing more than a skeleton in shock.'
JoA's first dance was slammed by Netizens, one of whom called it a 'skeleton in shock'.
Netizen Daneil added of JoA's tinted hair: 'First, they should give her black hair back cuz (sic) it looks ugly and virtually fried.
'Second, give her some facial emotions. Third, give her some decent clothes. This JoA thing is not working out.'
On YouTube.com, one netizen called the dance 'amateur cyber trash', while others found her 'ugly', 'weird' and 'creepy'.
JoA's creators have yet to react to the bad press so far. They had big dreams for her.
She was reportedly created by top CGI talents and designed with an East-meets-West appeal so that she could 'venture overseas in the future'.
On Valentine's Day, her makers released a photo of her holding a gift box and a clip of her kissing her cyber boyfriend. Chocolates were also given to fans as part of an online promotion, reported My Daily.
A spokesman said it was a special treat for fans who had been asking for special activities with JoA on Valentine's Day.
He added that JoA's next appearance would be on White Valentine's Day - which is observed widely in Japan on 14 Mar - when she would cross-dress as a guy.
WHAT'S THE POINT?
But while her fans are smitten by her apparent beauty, others are baffled and question JoA's very need to exist.
Netizen Moo wrote on the Popseoul forum: 'Korea isn't lacking in terms of actors, so, why this?'
Allay added: 'Who is the audience going to like? Real, pretty actresses or this ugly, computerised thing?'
Netizen Kristen felt JoA looked realistic, but her soulless eyes 'totally give her away'.
Other netizens were upset that her name sounded too much like K-pop singer BoA.
Still, JoA has her supporters.
On Ampedasia.com, some intrigued netizens found her 'beautiful' and 'sexy'.
Rondillo wrote: '(A) cyber Actress would be weird, but I think I would watch it anyway!
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/st...57593,00.html? 
Cyber babe's 'creepy' look is a turn-off - Netizens give Korea's first cyber star thumbs down 
Re: Cyber babe's 'creepy' look is a turn-off - Netizens give Korea's first cyber star thumbs down 
JoA - Tell Me Dance 
