Starlike will host the comprehensive subculture event Illustar Fes 14 on October 10 and 11 in Halls 4 and 5 of Exhibition Center 1 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. AMD will participate as the main sponsor, joined by 22 companies spanning gaming, hardware, cosplay, publishing, and distribution.
Illustar Fes centers on a creator market where artists showcase their work and interact with fans, alongside gaming and corporate exhibitions, cosplay, virtual creators, and music performances. This edition will feature the standard creator market, the original creation special zone CREASTAR, and the virtual creator special zone VIRTUALLSTAR.
Producers active in Japan will participate in Cho Vocastar 3, a voice synthesis character-only event, to introduce their albums and creative works. The lineup includes Satsuki (32ki), producer of "Mesmerizer" which surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, as well as Daibakuhashin, buzzG, Pepoyo, Kaga (NegishowerP), Shoten Taro, Miyamori Bungaku, and Musipi. Daibakuhashin's track "Genten" was featured on the official album for Hatsune Miku Magical Mirai 2025, while Miyamori Bungaku won the Grand Prix in the Magical Mirai 2023 Song Contest.
According to Starlike, this marks the first time AMD is participating as a main sponsor for a domestic subculture event in Korea. AMD will operate a Ryzen User Lounge at the venue to connect with fans of anime, illustration, virtual creators, and other subculture content.
In the gaming sector, Studiobside's character-raising RPG Star Savior and turn-based RPG Outerplane will each operate independent booths. The strategic TCG Nivel Arena will also present exhibitions and on-site activities.
Starlike will unveil Sixtar Gate: INFINISTAR, the latest entry in its rhythm game series, for the first time at the venue. Succeeding the existing Sixtar Gate series, the title will be introduced to rhythm game fans on-site.
Shiira, the first member of the virtual creator project Illustella, will host her debut stream on CHZZK on October 3 before holding her first offline fan meeting at the event. A booth will be operated on-site in collaboration with AIMEET's AI voice synthesis engine AINOW.
The indie gaming sector will feature showcase programs Illustar Play and Indie Stage. Domestic indie development teams will exhibit their works, including new titles currently in development, and provide hands-on play opportunities to attendees.
On the main stage, a Korea-Japan exchange concert featuring Korean and Japanese artists will take place on October 10. Japanese six-member rock idol group Maison de Queen and lento will take the stage, alongside Cho Vocanaru 3, a DJ event featuring producers and artists participating in Cho Vocastar 3.
On October 11, band live concert ILLUSTAR LIVE! will feature performances by E:ON, Sugar High, Deny, and Adoban, followed by a Vocaloid DJ stage and ILLUSTAR DJ CONNECT.
The cosplay programming will feature professional teams RZ COS and COSIS, as well as Illustar Partners members Kim Yeon-ji, Mayonnaise, Riri, Ppoya, and Miumyu. Chinese cosplayers boxiaohei (勃小黑) and shi gui she (十鬼蛇) will also visit Korea. Across both days, an interactive cosplay stage, Illustar Partners posing show, fan meetings, and cheki photo sessions will be held.
An official from the Illustar Fes Organizing Committee stated, “We are making thorough preparations to create a comprehensive subculture festival where creators, companies, artists, and fans can connect through their respective content to build new experiences.”
