At present, a Telegram chat group has caused widespread outrage and confusion as it distributed sensitive images of women, including videos where the faces of K-pop female idols were edited onto adult films. The group has been exposed, revealing over 212,000 members. This incident has brought to light the issue of Deepfake in South Korea, emphasizing the dangerous consequences that arise when criminals use this technology for malicious purposes.
As stated in a report by Security Hero, South Korea has been identified as the leading country for the illicit dissemination of pornographic material on the internet. After studying 96,000 videos from 10 Deepfake porn websites and 85 Deepfake channels on video-sharing platforms for two months, it was revealed that 53% of the individuals featured in these videos are popular Korean singers and actors.
The problem of Deepfake has persisted for numerous years ever since the emergence of this technology and its unpredictability has only continued to grow. Numerous renowned individuals have fallen victim to Deepfake.
Deepfake refers to an AI (artificial intelligence) technique that digitally substitutes one individual’s face with another’s.
Minji (NewJeans) is the female idol with the most Deepfake criminal targeting
According to statistics, Minji (NewJeans) holds the record for being the idol with the highest number of Deepfake images and videos produced every month, totaling over 17,000. This concerning statistic highlights the potential risks of Deepfake technology in the hands of criminals for nefarious activities.
ADOR, the management company for NewJeans, issued a statement in June 2024 in response to the situation: “The distribution of manipulated pornographic content featuring our artists has serious consequences for our company.”They also declared that they have pursued legal action and are determined to battle against Deepfake criminals in order to safeguard their artists.
Targeting Lisa (BLACKPINK) with Deepfake videos: Attempts to tarnish her image
In late 2023, there was a lot of talk on social media about Lisa (BLACKPINK) removing her clothes during a performance at the Crazy Horse Show in Paris, France. The footage quickly went viral on multiple platforms, including adult websites.
Despite facing mixed reactions for her performance at a nightclub, Lisa was exonerated by the Deepfake detection application developed by KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology). The application analyzed the video and proved it to be an edited product. It is crucial to note that if the video had not been cleared up, Lisa’s career could have been heavily damaged due to defamation.
Yoona and other K-pop Idols Affected by Deepfake Technology
In 2017, Deepfake emerged as a prominent topic in the tech industry. However, by 2018, it had already caused harm as Yoona and numerous K-pop idols were targeted and featured on pornographic websites with their names in the headlines, gaining millions of views.
As soon as Deepfake technology emerged, numerous well-known K-pop figures such as Yoona, Red Velvet, TWICE, SNSD, IU, AOA, Suzy, Chungha, GFRIEND, Apink, Girl’s Day, Hani, BLACKPINK, Weki Meki Doyeon, PRISTIN Kyulkyung, MAMAMOO, and Oh My Girl became targets.
Despite efforts from numerous artists, managers, and management companies to speak out against it, Deepfake crimes continue to persist, causing concerns about the defamation of artists and the tarnishing of their images. The number of edited pornographic videos and images on the internet also continues to rise.
Yujeong – Brave Girls
In February 2024, during an appearance on a tvN program, Yujeong of Brave Girls shared that she had fallen victim to Deepfake. Expressing her frustration, Yujeong stated, “I only found out about this after being informed by someone I know. It’s alarming to think that anyone, regardless of their gender, can be targeted by this.”
Song Hye Kyo: Another Victim of Deepfakes
In 2020, there was a widespread shock among Song Hye Kyo’s fans and many viewers when a series of ‘sensitive’ images, supposedly belonging to her, were extensively circulated on black websites. However, these were actually Deepfake creations, and the perpetrator’s intention of generating maximum interaction was successfully fulfilled.
Despite being one of Korea’s top actresses, Song Hye Kyo was plagued by the use of Deepfake technology, which involved swapping her face onto pornographic images and videos. This sparked widespread public outrage, with over 3,000 fake images and videos of Song Hye Kyo being found on a website dedicated to Deepfake content, according to statistics.
According to Security Hero, the tip of the Deepfake iceberg presented above is just a small portion of the problem. Reports show that a Twitter account was discovered to have over 200 names of K-pop female idols from different groups, all of which were altered and manipulated using Deepfake technology. Moreover, there are numerous websites that utilize Deepfake methods to create pornographic content, often involving the faces of unsuspecting victims. In some cases, users are even required to pay in order to access this disturbing material.
In order to protect female idols, numerous companies have expressed their concerns. On August 31st, JYP Entertainment stated their intention to pursue legal action against any Deepfake content involving their artists.
The issue of Deepfake is not limited to just JYP Entertainment, but it also poses a significant problem for the entire Korean entertainment industry. It is crucial for various Korean entertainment companies, including JYP Entertainment, ADOR, and Woollim Entertainment, to take a stand against this issue, as it is essential to safeguard not only the artists but also the reputation of the country’s entertainment industry.
K14 is the source.
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