Kpop Deepfakes: The Disturbing Trend & What's Being Done

Torrance Cartwright 08 May 2025

Is the digital world turning against our idols? The proliferation of deepfake technology has unleashed a disturbing trend, particularly within the realm of K-pop, transforming the likenesses of beloved stars into tools for exploitation and fueling a disturbing ecosystem of online obscenity.The rapid ascent of deepfakes, first surfacing around 2017, has ignited fervent discussions across the tech landscape. Initially, these digitally manipulated videos tantalized with their ability to seamlessly swap faces and mimic voices. However, the technology's potential for misuse quickly overshadowed its innovative appeal. The shadows deepened as these fabrications began infiltrating pornographic websites, grabbing attention with provocative headlines and pushing the boundaries of ethical and legal considerations.

Topic	Kpop Deepfakes
First Appearance	2017
Prevalence (2019 Report)	96% of deepfake videos were obscene
K-Pop Involvement (2019 Report)	25% of obscene deepfakes featured Korean pop stars
Legal Action	13 individuals detained and referred to prosecutors; ~60 chat room participants booked
Agencies involved	hybe and YG Entertainment
Statistic in 2023	53% of the individuals featured in deepfake pornography were south korean singers or actresses.
Reference	FBI Official Website

A 2019 report highlighted the disturbing trajectory of this technology, revealing that a staggering 96 percent of all deepfake videos were pornographic in nature. Even more troubling, a quarter approximately 25 percent of these obscene deepfakes targeted Korean pop stars, thrusting the dark side of digital manipulation squarely into the spotlight of the K-pop industry.The response to this digital assault has been multifaceted, involving both law enforcement and the entertainment industry. Authorities have taken concrete steps to combat the creation and distribution of these illicit materials. To date, thirteen individuals have been formally detained and referred to prosecutors for their involvement. Police actions extended beyond content creators, with approximately 60 participants in chat rooms dedicated to sharing and consuming deepfake content also being booked.The dark corners of the internet house numerous websites dedicated to the proliferation of these deepfakes. One such site, touted as a resource where "yoporn dude reviews the best porn sites of 2025," reveals the disturbing future where deepfakes have become further integrated into the adult entertainment landscape. Another platform, while paradoxically claiming to be created by K-pop lovers "for other fans," declares, "On the contrary we respect and love our idols," yet proceeds to host and promote deepfake content featuring those very idols.Adultdeepfakes openly boasts a vast library of "deepfake kpop videos," prominently featuring members of the popular group TWICE (\ud2b8\uc640\uc774\uc2a4). The site shamelessly advertises videos depicting graphic and exploitative scenarios, including "mina sex with a mirror" and "naked tzuyu masturbating," making these illegal and deeply unethical creations freely available for consumption. Similarly, another platform markets itself as a "Secret place with notorious kpop deepfakes for real stans," capitalizing on the parasocial relationships between fans and idols to drive traffic to their disturbing content.The gravity of this situation prompted public demonstrations. On August 30, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, activists wearing eye masks held posters reading "repeated deepfake sex crimes, the state is an accomplice too," highlighting the perceived inaction and calling for stricter measures to protect victims of deepfake pornography. This protest underscored the urgent need for legal and societal frameworks to address the complex issues raised by this technology.South Korean entertainment powerhouse HYBE, the agency behind global phenomenon BTS, has officially joined the fight against deepfake exploitation. The agencys involvement signifies a significant escalation in the industrys response, signaling a commitment to protecting their artists and combating the spread of harmful deepfake content.A 2023 study commissioned by HYBE and other organizations revealed a shocking statistic: 53% of the individuals featured in deepfake pornography were South Korean singers or actresses. This statistic underscores the disproportionate impact of deepfake technology on the K-pop industry, and demonstrates the urgent need for targeted interventions.Further fueling the dissemination of deepfake content are platforms like alldeepfake, which brazenly advertise "all deepfake kpop videos of the most famous idols, trending idol groups like blackpink, twice, aespa" The website further expands its illicit offerings, including "hollywood deepfake porn, famous singer, chinese celebrity deepfake porn, jpop idol," explicitly stating that "with deepfake, you can satisfy your desires." The sites messaging normalizes and encourages the exploitation of individuals through non-consensual deepfake pornography.Websites like these often employ manipulative language to lure users, suggesting that they can "Masturbate with any idol you idolize, love them." This type of rhetoric blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, potentially desensitizing viewers to the ethical implications of consuming deepfake content. The site "Kpop deepfake porn" promotes itself as "a free collection of the best kpop deepfakes and kpop porn videos!" inviting users to "Find your favorite kpop idol slut below and get ready to watch her pretty face get covered in cum in hardcore kpop deepfake porn videos!"Sexcelebrity positions itself as "the leading platform with deepfake porn of popular people," boasting "More than 50 thousands free and premium videos from the best deepfake creators." Erome, another platform involved in the distribution of sexually explicit content, claims to be "the best place to share your erotic pics and porn videos," noting that "Every day, thousands of people use erome to enjoy free photos and videos." These platforms contribute to the normalization and widespread consumption of deepfake pornography, perpetuating the harm inflicted on the individuals targeted.The prevalence of these videos is further emphasized by sites promoting "A constantly growing collection of the best kpop deepfake porn videos in the world starring the sexiest kpop idols!" Posted on May 5, 2025, one site encourages users to "Enjoy \ufeffkpop deepfakes deepfake porn videos check out the best korean idol sex tapes on this webpage porndeepfake.net."YG Entertainment, the agency behind idol groups BLACKPINK and BABYMONSTER, has also taken a firm stance against deepfake abuse. In an official statement released on the 2nd, the company stated, "we are very seriously aware of the situation in which inappropriate deepfake productions are being produced and distributed in relation to their artists." This commitment to addressing the issue underscores the growing recognition within the entertainment industry of the need to protect artists from deepfake exploitation.The proliferation of "Kpop deepfake photos & videos" remains a significant challenge. Platforms like Erome continue to facilitate the sharing of these images, emphasizing the ongoing need for stricter regulations and more effective enforcement to combat the spread of non-consensual deepfake content. Every day, thousands of people use erome to enjoy free photos and videos, continuing the cycle.