SeeU

SeeU (시유) is a Korean VOCALOID developed and distributed by SBS A&T (formerly SBS Artech), and was released in October 2011 for South Korea and later in December for Japan. Her voice is provided by Korean female singer, Dahee Kim (김다희 Gim Da-hui), who was a member of the K-pop idol group, ''. Dahee recorded in Korean and Japanese for the two voicebanks. On November 25th, 2022, Starlike Inc. an event and gaming development team, has announced that they would be licensing her and UNI.https://twitter.com/StarlikeInc/status/1596358890098425858
==Concept==
A profile was written for her on the VOCALOID STORE. The profile stated "She dreams of being an idol loved not only in Asia but also in Europe as well".link via Wayback machine
===Etymology===
Her name in Korean is rendered as "시유" (Siyu) and in Japanese it is "シユ" (Shiyu). During an interview with SBS A&T manager, Hyo Eun Kim, it was said that SeeU's name came to mind after thinking of a line from the 2009 film, . The line "I See You" popped into her mind and became the inspiration for 'SeeU'. According to SBS, this is only one of several meanings of her name.SBS Artech Vocaloid Team Interview by Prica@SBS_Vocaloid tweeter
===Appearance===
SeeU was given a design and is aimed more specifically to the general and VOCALOID Otaku fandom. SBS stated that SeeU was created to be a "cute and lively yet mysterious looking 17 year old girl." Her outfit was designed with a school uniform in mind. Her official illustrations and design were created by KKUEM.
Her cat ears/nekomimi are speakers. According to her illustrator, they are actually detachableIts detachable by KKUEM Her neckband is a CD player. Soundwaves light up on the rectangle of her flat-shoes and on the upper part of her top (chest). There is a pause button at the back of her clothes, a power button on the ribbon of her neckband and an "on" button on one of the buttons at the front of her top. During a virtual interview starring SeeU conducted by SBS, SeeU revealed her clothing size to be XXS.SBS Virtual Interview starring SeeU
The illustration for SeeU's "Library Renewal Limited 400" project was illustrated by Renian.https://twitter.com/Renian_/status/1738153279312585019
===Relations===
* Gompang-i - A fungus-like friend of SeeU.
* - The official male derivative of SeeU.link
==History==
===Marketing===
VOCALOID3 Library SV01 SeeU Limited Edition was produced for her launch in 2011, which included a SeeU Demo song CD, photo frame, stickers, badges, phone strap, manual booklet and an illustration book called "SEEU COME INTO THE WORLD". SBS also promoted SeeU to the public by printing her illustration on face packs and on the side of taxi cars.
During Nico Nico Chokaigi 2012‘s “VOCALOID NEWS", SBS stepped forward and claimed to be producing an album for SeeU. On October 19, 2012, SBS Artech teamed up with Big Hit Entertainment and released an album called SV01 SeeU's Compilation Album, featuring seven notable songs from the UGC contest. The album was released in Japan and translated into Japanese lyrics on October 29, 2012.
On August 30, 2021, a special 10th anniversary project for SeeU was announced and an official Twitter account was created for the project.https://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1432286885959720962?s=20. Details as well as a promotional video were released on SeeU's 10th anniversary, October 21, 2021.https://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068738078265345?s=20 The promotion included a new illustration by illustrator KKUEMhttps://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068753114849281?s=20 as well as the announcement of a crowdfunding campaign with aims to create a special collaboration album for SeeU featuring many famous Korean VOCALOID producers.https://tumblbug.com/seeuhttps://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068744344616966?s=20https://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068757552500736?s=20 Various new merchandise plans including a plush doll of SeeU and an acrylic keychain were also showcased to be distributed via the crowdfund as well.https://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068762040324100?s=20 A special tribute message towards SeeU and her fans was written to celebrate her last ten years and an apology was issued for not meeting community expectations of the project.https://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068748840902657?s=20https://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068768491212801?s=20 It was also announced that international fans would be able to participate in the crowdfunding via Kickstarter with more details to be released at a later date.https://twitter.com/SeeU10thAnniv/status/1451068770751901701?s=20
On September 22, 2023, ST MEDiA Co., Ltd. hosted a livestream to discuss new information. Regarding SeeU, there were still SBS A&T employees who were still fond of her and would like to work on her again, but the executives disapproved as they believed that it would not be profitable. SBS A&T still owned the rights to SeeU fully and was the final decisionmaker in regards to her. ST MEDiA considered purchasing the license from SBS A&T, but the individuals who were worked on her were hurt, so it was not possible as ST MEDiA felt it would be disrespectful to do. Instead, it was decided to "stop dreaming" about a SeeU update or remake as it was impossible without SBS A&T's permission. In regards to SeeU's stocking issues, it was confirmed that she only had the stock number from her original launch. Once they were sold out, there was nothing left, though the Japanese editions were still available. There was a Chinese company in 2020 who had purchased new SeeU serial codes and intended to sell her with Chinese packaging, but due to the outbreak, this never happened. It was confirmed that there were 400 SeeU serial codes left, and after those were sold out, it was over for SeeU. The last 400 codes would be potentially sold as digital and packaged deals. The current plan was to update the packaging design, but more interestingly, SeeU's design, so it could be treated as a commemorative release. This was planned to be a crowdfunding campaign later in the year, and SeeU's design would be modernized as the company felt that it would be difficult to 3D model, but the changes would not be too major. It was confirmed that KKUEM would not be returning as the illustrator due to a scheduling conflict. Despite that these final codes would mark the end of SeeU as a voice library, ST Media still wanted to continue in promoting her character.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq2bjZuRUMk 
On December 22, 2023, pre-order sales for the 400 remaining serial codes and limited-time goods will be live on Character Planet.https://twitter.com/STMEDiA_info/status/1738120216738193483 Each renewal package contained a USB of SeeU's VOCALOID3 Library, commemorative album, badge, medal, and metal key ring. 
All 400 remaining serial codes sold out in less than 24 hours, making SeeU permanently unavailable for purchase. She is the second VOCALOID vocal to run out of serial codes completely, after MIRIAM, and the first VOCALOID3 vocal to do so. 
===Voicebanks===
;SeeU - Korean
:SeeU was a cute sounding teenage female and was the first Korean VOCALOID released. Her voicebank had extra English Phonetics included alongside the Korean ones. 
* SeeU (VOCALOID3), October 21, 2011
;SeeU - Japanese
:The Japanese version was intended to match the Korean voicebank. During the VOCALOID3 era it was the highest optimum range for any Japanese VOCALOID until kokone was released.
* SeeU (VOCALOID3), October 21, 2011
;SeeU - English
:The English vocal was planned and began development after a number of fans questioned the English Phonetics in the Korean voicebank. SBS A&T Co., Ltd. claimed that English was intended all along and would be released. The project is currently presumed cancelled.
==Music featuring SeeU==
==Reputation==
==References==
==External links==
Language	Description	Site
==Navigation==
Category:SeeU
Category:SBS A&T Co., Ltd.
Category:VOCALOID
Category:VOCALOID3
Category:Feminine vocals
Category:Multilingual vocals
Category:Korean vocals
Category:Japanese vocals