Aespa Karina's deepfake images used for Waterbomb event; fans enraged—call for no use of AI and deepfake tech
The official lineup for the Seoul Waterbomb 2025 festival was recently announced through a series of pop-up videos and graphics. Aespa Karina 's name was among many others who are set to perform in the event; however, fans and netizens alike were shocked over the use of AI tech in the teasers.
AI and deepfake tech used for teasers; fans are enragedOn June 10, the official lineup for the Seoul Waterbomb 2025 festival was announced, with names like ITZY, Jeon Somi , and Ten set to perform. Aespa 's Karina is another name that was announced; however, fans were shocked by the teasers used to make the announcement. AI and deepfake technology were used to add an avatar of Karina to the teaser, which enraged fans.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKs-Xu4C2kC/
Many condemned the use of such technology, citing issues of morality and ethics.
Fans call out the festival and the team and the artist’s managementFans of the idol were enraged at the ordeal and cited that the use of such technology can have a lot of harmful implications on the safety of the idol. Many also criticised Aespa’s management company for not taking proper action to ensure that this does not happen.
One commented that “using deepfake tech on Karina is so harmful and dangerous; SM needs to have it taken down immediately.” It was already obvious she’d be performing at Waterbomb, but more than anything, I just hope she feels safe and has fun. Her stylist needs to take this seriously.”
Their management company had previously posted a statement that cited that the use of technology like AI and deepfakes for their artists was condemned and not right; however, they had managed to allow for the technology to be used for this festival.
AI and deepfake tech used for teasers; fans are enragedOn June 10, the official lineup for the Seoul Waterbomb 2025 festival was announced, with names like ITZY, Jeon Somi , and Ten set to perform. Aespa 's Karina is another name that was announced; however, fans were shocked by the teasers used to make the announcement. AI and deepfake technology were used to add an avatar of Karina to the teaser, which enraged fans.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKs-Xu4C2kC/
Many condemned the use of such technology, citing issues of morality and ethics.
Fans call out the festival and the team and the artist’s managementFans of the idol were enraged at the ordeal and cited that the use of such technology can have a lot of harmful implications on the safety of the idol. Many also criticised Aespa’s management company for not taking proper action to ensure that this does not happen.
One commented that “using deepfake tech on Karina is so harmful and dangerous; SM needs to have it taken down immediately.” It was already obvious she’d be performing at Waterbomb, but more than anything, I just hope she feels safe and has fun. Her stylist needs to take this seriously.”
Their management company had previously posted a statement that cited that the use of technology like AI and deepfakes for their artists was condemned and not right; however, they had managed to allow for the technology to be used for this festival.
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