CONTROVERSIAL AI CHAT APP BY RBW ENTERTAINMENT SPARKS FAN BACKLASH
RBW Entertainment’s recent launch of an AI-powered chat application featuring deepfake technology and underage talents has ignited a fierce debate within the K-pop community. Fans and industry observers alike are questioning the ethics of deploying deepfake avatars of popular idols—some of whom are minors—on a platform that includes NSFW content. Public outrage has grown rapidly, calling for accountability and boycotts.
BACKGROUND
In early May 2025, RBW Entertainment introduced a new AI chat application that allows users to interact with virtual representations of several of its female artists. The app leverages advanced deepfake algorithms to recreate the likeness and voice of idols including Solar (MAMAMOO), Hyojung (OH MY GIRL), and Jiana (Young Posse).
The company’s promotional materials suggested immersive, personalized conversations with these AI personas. However, as soon as fans discovered the app’s deepfake functionality—and its tagging as an NSFW service—social media channels erupted with criticism. Observers immediately raised red flags about the inclusion of underage members in a context that could be misused or commodified inappropriately.
KEY FACTS AND STATISTICS
- RBW Entertainment is under fire for promoting an AI chat app with deepfake technology and featuring minors.
- The app includes popular female idols: Solar, Hyojung, and Jiana.
- Fans have called for a full boycott of RBW and related sub-labels.
- Ethical concerns focus on consent, the portrayal of minors in potentially explicit scenarios, and the broader implications of deepfake in entertainment.
FAN REACTIONS
Social media platforms became the epicenter of the controversy once fans spotted hashtags linking the new app to RBW’s artists. A widely circulated fan comment encapsulates the anger:
"Every fan who supports an RBW Idol/Group under one of their sub-labels should not only report this app, but boycott the whole company! They're using UNDERAGE Idols on a NSFW APP!!!"
This sentiment has led to coordinated reporting efforts on app stores, trending boycott calls on Twitter and Reddit, and discussions about the limits of corporate responsibility when employing emerging technologies.
ARTIST RESPONSES
Solar (MAMAMOO): No official statement or direct quotes were available from Solar regarding the AI chat app controversy. Extensive searches across social media, news outlets, and fan forums yielded no comments from the artist herself. (Source: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/spicy-kpop-company-criticized-disgusting-new-venture-female-idols/)
Hyojung (OH MY GIRL): Investigation into Hyojung’s public communications, including official WM Entertainment notices, revealed no direct remarks from her about RBW’s AI app. A contract renewal notice confirmed her continued partnership with WM Entertainment but did not address the controversy. (Source: https://www.pannchoa.com/2025/05/theqoo-official-notice-about-oh-my.html)
Jiana (Young Posse): While Jiana has shared thoughts on her personal aspirations—"I like the phrase ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m getting close to my dream.’”—there are no available statements from her concerning the AI chat app issue. (Source: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2024/04/interview-young-posse-on-returning-with-2nd-ep-xxl-now-we-know-how-to-enjoy-the-moment)
ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF DEEPFAKE TECHNOLOGY
Experts warn that deepfake avatars blur the lines between reality and simulation, raising questions about consent, intellectual property rights, and potential psychological impacts on both users and the idols depicted. Incorporating minors into such applications intensifies these concerns:
- Consent: Underage idols may not fully understand or agree to the use of their likeness in AI scenarios, especially without clear disclosure of potential contexts or content ratings.
- Misrepresentation: AI-generated interactions could be manipulated or taken out of context, damaging an artist’s image or brand.
- Legal Precedents: Current legislation on deepfake varies widely across jurisdictions, leaving loopholes that companies might exploit.
FAN DEMANDS AND INDUSTRY RESPONSE
Fans are unifying under several demands:
- Immediate removal of underage idols from the AI chat app.
- Transparent disclosure of how deepfake data is sourced and used.
- A public apology and commitment to stricter ethical guidelines.
As of this report’s publication, RBW Entertainment has not issued a formal response to the mounting criticism. Industry analysts anticipate that legal scrutiny or regulatory pressure could follow if the controversy escalates further.
CONCLUSION
The RBW AI chat app controversy underscores the complex intersection of technology, entertainment, and ethics. As the K-pop industry continues to innovate, the deployment of deepfake technology will likely prompt ongoing debates about artist rights, fan trust, and corporate responsibility. Only time will tell how agencies like RBW adapt to these challenges and restore confidence among their global fanbases.