There is currently widespread outrage and confusion after a Telegram chat group distributing sensitive images of women, including videos with the faces of female K-pop idols superimposed on adult films, was discovered, with over 212,000 members. From ordinary people to celebrities, anyone can fall victim to Deepfake, and the entire nation of South Korea is gripped by fear and anger over this horrific crime. South Korea is currently fighting against Deepfake, highlighting the serious impact of this technology when used by criminals for malicious purposes.
According to a report by Security Hero, South Korea ranks as the top country for illegal distribution of pornographic content in the digital space. The analysis of 96,000 videos from 10 Deepfake porn sites and 85 Deepfake channels on video-sharing platforms over a two-month period showed that 53% of individuals appearing in Deepfake porn videos are Korean singers and actors.
In fact, this problem has been ongoing for many years since Deepfake technology first emerged and has become increasingly unpredictable. Many famous and well-known names have become victims of Deepfake.
Deep falsification It is an artificial intelligence (AI) process that digitally replaces one person’s face with that of another.
Minji (NewJeans) Is The Female Idol Most Targeted By Deepfake Criminals
Statistics show that Minji (NewJeans) is the idol with the most Deepfake images and videos created each month, with over 17,000. This alarming figure demonstrates the danger of Deepfake technology when used by criminals for malicious purposes.
In response to this situation, ADOR, NewJeans’ management company, spoke out in June 2024: “When fake pornographic images of our artists are edited and sold, it has a serious impact on us.” Furthermore, NewJeans’ management company stated that it has taken legal action and is ready to fight to the bitter end against Deepfake criminals to protect its artists.
Lisa (BLACKPINK) has been targeted in the past by deepfake videos aimed at tarnishing her image.
In late 2023, social media was flooded with footage of Lisa (BLACKPINK) undressing during a performance at the Crazy Horse Show in Paris, France. The video quickly spread across various adult platforms and websites.
However, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) Deepfake Detection App exonerated Lisa by analyzing the video and proving that it was a doctored product. It is important to understand that Lisa faced mixed reactions for performing at this nightclub, and if the video had not been cleared, Lisa would have been heavily smeared, potentially damaging her career.
Yoona and many K-pop idols became victims of Deepfake as soon as this technology emerged.
First appearing in 2017, Deepfake quickly became a hot topic in the tech world. But just a year later, in 2018, Yoona and many K-pop idols immediately became victims of Deepfake. They suddenly appeared on pornographic websites with titles that included their names, garnering millions of views.
Besides Yoona, many other big names in K-pop such as Red Velvet, TWICE, SNSD, IU, AOA, Suzy, Chungha, GFRIEND, Apink, Girl’s Day, Hani, BLACKPINK, Weki Meki Doyeon, PRISTIN Kyulkyung, MAMAMOO, Oh My Girl… have become victims of Deepfake as soon as this technology emerged.
This raises concerns about defamation of artists and their tarnished image. However, despite numerous artists, managers and management companies speaking out, Deepfake crimes persist and the number of altered pornographic videos and images continues to increase on the Internet.
Yujeong (Brave Girls)
In February 2024, on a tvN program, Brave Girls’ Yujeong revealed that she had been a victim of Deepfake. Yujeong expressed her frustration, “I found out after someone I know informed me. It was an incredibly terrifying experience. Anyone, regardless of gender, can fall victim to this.”
Song Hye Kyo is also a victim of Deepfake.
In 2020, Song Hye Kyo’s fans and many viewers were shocked when a series of “sensitive” images claimed to be of her were widely shared on black websites. However, these were Deepfake products and the author successfully achieved his goal of generating as much interaction as possible.
Song Hye Kyo has been haunted by Deepfake, as her face, as a leading Korean actress, has been used to create pornographic images and videos that have caused public outrage. According to statistics, on a website specializing in Deepfake content, there were more than 3,000 fake images and videos of Song Hye Kyo.
The above is just the tip of the Deepfake iceberg. Security Hero statistics indicate that a website with over 200 names of K-pop female idols from various groups was circulating on Twitter. The images on the web are all altered. In addition, many websites with pornographic content, in general, use Deepfake technology to superimpose the faces of victims onto explicit images and videos. Some content requires users to pay to view.
To ensure the safety of female idols, many companies have strongly expressed their concerns. On August 31, JYP Entertainment announced that it would take strong legal action against Deepfake content related to its artists.
The Deepfake issue is not only a concern for JYP Entertainment, but also a painful issue for the entire Korean entertainment industry. Many Korean entertainment companies, such as JYP Entertainment, ADOR, and Woollim Entertainment, opposing this issue is a necessary and important step to protect not only artists, but also the integrity of the country’s entertainment industry.
Source: K14
