How You Know The Future Has Arrived — The Time AI K-Pop Idols Got Into A “Dating Scandal”

2 weeks ago 17

We’ve really seen it all, now.

Koreaboo

14 minutes ago

K-Pop has been venturing further and further into the metaverse, using new technology to create innovative concepts. Some collaborations allow K-Pop fans to watch their favorite artists in new ways, like how Mnet‘s Boys Planet collaborated with The Sandbox to create an interactive way for viewers to enjoy the show.

Or how BLACKPINK collaborated with PUBG MOBILE for an entire virtual concert.

'BLACKPINK X PUBG MOBILE 2022 IN-GAME CONCERT: [THE VIRTUAL]' Coming soon!

North & South America:22nd-23rd and 29th-30th July
Rest of the World: 23rd-24th and 30th-31st July #BLACKPINKxPUBGM #BLACKPINK #PUBGMOBILE #THEVIRTUAL #INGAMECONCERT @BLACKPINK pic.twitter.com/anHLiGioVy

— PUBG MOBILE (@PUBGMOBILE) July 12, 2022

AI concepts in K-Pop are also becoming more prevalent. Aespa and K/DA are primarily credited with spearheading the integration of AI with K-Pop, and artists like Apoki, Eternity, SUPERKIND, and MAVE: are furthering the concept.

And of course, we can’t forget PLAVE, who have also solidified their place in Korea’s music charts with songs such as “Dash”.

SUPERKIND is a K-Pop boy group that was initially comprised of one AI member, SAEJiN, and four members, Daemon, Eugene, Geon, and SiO. It was later revealed that the group would eventually have five humans and five AI members. Currently, SUPERKIND has seven members, with JDV and AI member Seung having joined the group since their debut.

SUPERKIND’s TikTok account showcased all the members of the group, with an emphasis on showing the development of the AI members SAEJiN and Seung.

@playsuperkind

#OMG 벌써 내가 어른이라니… 말도 안 돼😱 #SUPERKIND #슈퍼카인드 #PlaySUPERKIND

♬ OMG – NewJeans

@playsuperkind

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♬ CASE 143 – Stray Kids

@playsuperkind

과제 제출용 인생 네컷 #소희승_웃으라고 #ai #idol #superkind #playsuperkind

♬ Polaroid Love – ENHYPEN

One video of Seung that went viral was the AI idol’s reaction to another AI group, MAVE:.

Unlike SUPERKIND, MAVE: is entirely comprised of AI members, and while netizens had mixed reactions to the group’s concept, fans ultimately seemed to love MAVE:’s debut song, “PANDORA.”

why is pandora by mave actually really good 😭

— Christina 🐰🐻🗝️ (@ditaminsbestie) February 20, 2023

SUPERKIND’s Seung also responded positively to MAVE:’s debut, even dropping his lollipop in shock at their debut music video.

SUPERKIND’s Seung | @playsuperkind/TikTok

| @playsuperkind/TikTok @playsuperkind

#pandorachallenge #ai #idol #superkind #playsuperkind

♬ PANDORA – MAVE:

In the comments on the TikTok, which has been viewed almost one million times, netizens joked that “dating scandals are coming” between the AI idols.

Seung then reacted to MAVE:’s debut Music Core stage, with netizens joking that he was comparing the budget of the two groups.

| @playsuperkind/TikTok @playsuperkind

#pandorachallenge #ai #idol #superkind #playsuperkind

♬ PANDORA – MAVE:

And then, in a video titled “Seung’s reply to the scandal rumors,” Seung reacted to netizens’ comments about his reactions. Seung agreed that he is “into MAVE:.”

| @playsuperkind/TikTok

One netizen’s comment joked that he shouldn’t “look at other girls,” which had AI Seung trying to reassure the fan.

| @playsuperkind/TikTok

The final comment Seung reacted to was a suggestion that MAVE:’s ZENA would “treat him [to] dinner.” Which Seung seemed to get flustered by.

| @playsuperkind/TikTok

Netizens mostly played along with the video, jokingly competing with ZENA for Seung’s attention.

And teasing that SM Entertainment’s AI idol Nævis (also known as NAVIS or Naevis) would be upset Seung wasn’t crushing on her instead.

Some netizens pointed out that, ironically enough, because the idols are AI, they can joke about dating or having a crush. In contrast, a human idol acting this way might receive more backlash given the standards in the K-Pop industry.