The Star Shepherd

The Star Shepherd is a groundbreaking AI-generated felt-animation music video created for Chinese artist and singer Roy Wang. The concept was born from his 2024 visit as a UNICEF ambassador to Malawi, where he observed the natural harmony between local children and their environment. He transformed that experience into a poetic vision: “Love is what links strangers under the same sky.”

Inspired by a lyric from the song “No one is afraid, no one is lonely, no one is blamed, no one leaves”, the MV’s director, Li Xuan, envisioned a world of eternal night. A boy handcrafts stars and woolly creatures to light the darkness. Though alone, he eventually finds that the very beings he created are quietly supporting him, not saving him, but helping him realize he was never alone.

What sets this project apart is its hybrid innovation: AI was used not only to generate scenes, but also to simulate the warmth of handcrafted felt, while preserving intentional imperfections such as flicker and asymmetry. This technical approach became a vessel for emotional storytelling.

The MV organically drove viral engagement across major Chinese platforms. Fans embraced the message by calling themselves “Star Shepherds” and co-creating art, stories, and plush toys. The project generated millions of views, trending hashtags, and emotional resonance, proving that AI, when guided by human warmth, can amplify the heart of a song.