Girls' Generation's YoonA was victimized by a malicious AI deepfake pregnancy photo, prompting backlash and SM Entertainment's legal response.
September/28/2026 16:23Related Groups & Members
Girls' Generation's YoonA was victimized by a pregnancy composite photo created using malicious AI and deepfake technology. Recently in Korea, a composite photo of YoonA and a certain man was spread on online communities. The photo showed YoonA as if she were pregnant, and the man placing his hand on YoonA's abdomen, a composition like a so-called "maternity photo," which startled many internet users. Previously, a similar photo caused controversy in June of last year, and media not only in Korea but around the world harshly criticized it, saying things like, "How far will AI and deepfake be abused?" In addition, it was confirmed that in the June post, YoonA's own social media account was tagged, and the controversy spread in an instant. As the uproar grew, the person who uploaded the composite photo immediately deleted it. SM Entertainment, to which YoonA belongs, has shown the stance that it will consistently take a strong response to these matters. At the beginning of this year, through a statement, it revealed that "there are continuing acts of spreading false facts, defamation, sexual insults, personal attacks, and invasion of privacy targeting our artists, and we are proceeding with legal responses including criminal complaints." In particular, the company stated, "Not only malicious rumors and false information, but also acts of producing and spreading distorted content about artists, including deepfakes, will be addressed in sequence after securing evidence," and attention is being focused on future developments. ・Girls' Generation YoonA confirmed to appear in the Korean version of Ishihara Satomi-starring 'Unnatural'! Scheduled to air on tvN in 2027 [PHOTO] Girls' Generation's YoonA & Jung Hyun-moo appear on the red carpet of the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards
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