Alien Stage, a Korean YouTube animated series, has just published its 7th episode, Wiege, this Valentine’s Day. As the premiere began, everyone had one expectation in mind; Heartbreak. Tears were shed, grief set in, and some even screamed from the sheer sorrow. Yet, this is not the end.
Created by YouTube animators VIVINOS and QMENG and produced by STUDIO LICO, Alien Stage has been going on for over two years. It has amassed quite a sizable following since its inception, and for good reason. With beautiful animation, music, and exceptional character writing, it's no surprise that the series was able to capture so many hearts.
Currently, 7 episodes are available on YouTube. However, the story isn't finished yet. Along with music videos, VIVINOS also creates mini-comics, and official art that helps flesh out the story. Sadly, I cannot speak too much about the contents of each episode without spoiling something.
VIVINOS, a lesbian herself, is known for portraying lesbian relationships in her animations. But, these animations typically depict sad love stories. Alien Stage isn't any different in its portrayal of love and loss. So be warned, death is depicted in the series. Multiple other heavy topics are depicted in the videos, including sexual assault and abuse.
The world of Alien Stage is one of sadness and struggle. In this reality, humanity has been enslaved by aliens and are treated like dogs. Some may see the animation as a critique of the Idol industry in Korea or just another classic doomed love story by Vivinos.
The main characters are Mizi, Sua, Till, Ivan, Luka, and Hyuna. Through music videos and comics, their stories are told. Each episode usually focuses on one or two of the main characters, showing flashbacks of their backstories while an original song plays.
These six humans are forced into the competition by their Alien owners. To lose the competition means to lose their very lives for the entertainment of their cruel overlords. However, VIVINOS and QMENG themselves provide their fans a brief respite from the angst, creating an official actor AU. Still, Alien Stage fans may commonly be found crying about the most recent episodes. Some fans wonder if VIVINOS has a secret grudge against the LGBTQ community, despite being in a loving relationship with her girlfriend and collaborator: QMENG.
So, if you’re looking for a series that saddens you with every episode, I recommend Alien Stage. But, most fans would strongly disagree: “I should’ve never watched Alien Stage 💔,” said TikTok user Mixie. Despite the sad plot, it may all be worth it for the spectacular storytelling and art.