A newly debuted virtual idol group, OWIS, is facing intense backlash online over the visuals of its members. As soon as the group’s character designs were revealed with their debut stage, netizens flooded online communities with harsh reactions.
Some questioned the entire concept and design.
이런외모로 할거면 버추얼을 왜했어 이런외모면 러브비트 일진도 못돼ㅅㅂ https://t.co/HVGd9hhvu9
— 도진호박인졀믜🎃 (@your_A1ice) March 27, 2026
If they were going to look like this, why did they even bother doing a virtual group? These sort of visuals aren’t even worthy of being a Love Beat (online game) delinquent.
your_A1ice
Others criticized the group from a market standpoint, arguing that the designs fail to appeal to either mainstream audiences or core virtual idol fans.
소비층을 고려해야했는데 일반인도 안사고 오타쿠도 안사는 판떼기임 https://t.co/ZyXzoYfahH
— 참차 (@cham91cha) March 27, 2026
They should’ve considered the tastes of the target audience. With those looks, both the general public and otakus would not buy in.
cham91cha
However, not all responses were negative. Some netizens defended the group, pushing back against what they see as unrealistic beauty standards in the virtual idol space.
난 캐릭터 왜 못생겻다고 지랄 난리나는지 모르겟음 버추얼여캠 소비층애들이 눈알 ㅈㄴ크고 가슴크고 색깔개화려하고 비율2d같은 화려한 캐릭터만 많이봐서 기준이 그거인거냐 충분히 예쁘기만한데 오위스 만들어주신 캐릭터 작화 작가님 인스타보고 미감 감탄햇는데 버추얼왜했냐 소리들을 정도냐고. https://t.co/Rw2ngupnOG pic.twitter.com/lBcbrEVNvO
— bori (@boripop) March 27, 2026
IDK why people are fussing about them being ugly. It’s because those who buy in to virtual streamers are so used to large-eyed, big-chested, flashy palettes and flashy characters with 2d-like proportions, but is that really the standard? They’re pretty enough, and I saw the Instagram of the artist who made OWIS, and was impressed by their artistic senses. It’s not to the point where you’d be like ‘oh, why did they bother going virtual?’
boripop
You can read more about the members below.
Former NMIXX’s Jini, BIG HIT Music’s Adora, And More — The Members Behind Virtual Girl Group OWIS