Lisa & Song Hye Kyo Are Victim: Deepfake Scandal Targets K-Pop Idols and Celebrities, Sparking Nationwide Alarm

Currently, there is widespread outrage and confusion after a Telegram chat group distributing sensitive images of women, including videos with the faces of K-pop female idols superimposed onto adult films, was exposed, with over 212,000 members. From ordinary people to celebrities, anyone can become a victim of Deepfake, and the entire nation of South Korea is gripped by fear and anger over this horrifying crime. South Korea is currently battling against Deepfake, highlighting the severe impact of this technology when used by criminals for malicious purposes.

According to a report from 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 two months showed that 53% of individuals appearing in Deepfake porn videos are Korean singers and actors.

In fact, this issue has been ongoing for many years since Deepfake technology first emerged and became increasingly unpredictable. Many famous and well-known names have become victims of Deepfake.

Deepfake is an AI (artificial intelligence) process that digitally replaces one person’s face with another’s.

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 monthly, 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 related to our artists are edited and sold, it has a severe impact on us.” Additionally, NewJeans’ management company stated that they have taken legal action and are prepared to fight to the end against Deepfake criminals to protect their artists.

Lisa (BLACKPINK) was once targeted with Deepfake videos aimed at tarnishing her image.

At the end of 2023, social media buzzed with images of Lisa (BLACKPINK) undressing during a performance at the Crazy Horse Show in Paris, France. The video spread rapidly across various platforms and adult websites.

However, the Deepfake detection application from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) exonerated Lisa by analyzing the video and proving it was an edited product. It’s important to understand that Lisa faced mixed reactions for performing at this nightclub, and if the video hadn’t been cleared up, Lisa would have been heavily defamed, potentially harming her career.

Yoona and many K-pop idols became victims of Deepfake as soon as the technology appeared.

First appearing in 2017, Deepfake quickly became a hot topic in the tech world. But just one year later, in 2018, Yoona and many K-pop idols immediately became victims of Deepfake. They suddenly appeared on pornographic websites with headlines including their names, garnering millions of views.

Alongside Yoona, many prominent K-pop names like Red Velvet, TWICE, SNSD, IU, AOA, Suzy, Chungha, GFRIEND, Apink, Girl’s Day, Hani, BLACKPINK, Weki Meki Doyeon, PRISTIN Kyulkyung, MAMAMOO, Oh My Girl… also became victims of Deepfake as soon as the technology emerged.

This raises concerns about artists being defamed and their images tarnished. However, despite numerous artists, managers, and management companies speaking out, Deepfake crimes persist, and the number of edited pornographic videos and images continues to increase on the internet.

Yujeong (Brave Girls)

In February 2024, on a tvN program, Yujeong from Brave Girls revealed that she was a victim of Deepfake. Yujeong expressed her frustration: “I discovered this after someone I know informed me. This was an incredibly terrifying experience. Anyone, regardless of gender, can become a victim of this.”

Song Hye Kyo is also a Deepfake victim.

In 2020, Song Hye Kyo’s fans and many viewers were shocked when a series of ‘sensitive’ images claimed to be hers were widely shared on black websites. However, these were Deepfake products, and the perpetrator successfully achieved their goal of generating as much interaction as possible.

Song Hye Kyo was haunted by Deepfake, as her face, as one of Korea’s leading actresses, was swapped to create pornographic images and videos that 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. Statistics from Security Hero 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 edited. Additionally, many websites with pornographic content, in general, use Deepfake technology to superimpose victims’ faces onto explicit images and videos. Some content requires users to pay to view.

To ensure the safety of female idols, many companies have strongly voiced their concerns. On August 31st, JYP Entertainment announced they would take strong legal action against Deepfake content related to their artists.

The Deepfake issue is not only a concern for JYP Entertainment but also a painful problem for the entire Korean entertainment industry. Many Korean entertainment companies, such as JYP Entertainment, ADOR, and Woollim Entertainment, standing up against this issue is a necessary and important step to protect not only the artists but also the integrity of the country’s entertainment industry.

Source: K14