Lee Jung-jae's agency "not among those surveyed"…Lee Yi-kyung also victim of AI manipulation, 'AI crimes' alarm in the entertainment industry
From Lee Jung-jae to Lee Yi-kyung, the entertainment industry is exposed to AI crimes and is suffering the damage.
First, actor Lee Jung-jae's agency Artist Company officially denied reports that it was being investigated by financial authorities. On the 6th, Lee Jung-jae's side said, "In the past, Wider Planet was investigated by financial authorities, but Artist Company and Lee Jung-jae are not among those surveyed," and added, "Lee Jung-jae is completely unrelated to illegal acts such as information leakage or front-running during Wider Planet's third-party allotment paid-in capital increase."
They added, "We will actively respond to clear up misunderstandings about Lee Jung-jae and Artist United, and if anyone is found to be involved in information leakage or front-running based on our internal investigation, we will take legal action including criminal complaints to prevent shareholder damage."
Earlier, one media outlet reported that financial authorities, after suspicions of unfair transactions arose during the acquisition process of Wider Planet (now Artist United), carried out a sudden search and seizure of related companies including Artist Company, owned by Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung. But Lee Jung-jae's side immediately denied it as "groundless," temporarily ending the confusion.
Recently, AI-manipulation crimes have emerged as a new threat in the entertainment industry. Actor Lee Yi-kyung is also among the victims. Someone impersonating Lee Yi-kyung produced and circulated conversations and photos manipulated with AI technology. The posted content shocked viewers by suggesting as if Lee Yi-kyung was exchanging lewd talk with someone.
In response, the agency said, "The author, a person surnamed A, sent an extortionate email requesting money about five months ago. When legal action was threatened, an apology was delivered." However, the person surnamed A later claimed, "I never demanded money," and instead insisted that they posted to "prevent other women from being victimized." They then released material claiming it was a direct-message video, but some internet users pointed out, "It looks like an AI composite," and "the conversation flow is awkward," increasing suspicions of manipulation.
Eventually the person surnamed A confessed, "I started as a joke, but as I kept writing AI photos and text it began to feel real," admitting that everything was fabricated. But secondary damage is unavoidable as Lee Yi-kyung's image has already been damaged by the rumors. Internet users raised voices of anger and concern, saying, "Can someone ruin a person's reputation and just say 'it was a joke'?" "Spreading false information through AI must be severely punished," and "Celebrities become too easy a target just because they are famous."
Experts warned, "The development of AI technology is being abused as a new means of crime," and noted, "Especially since celebrities whose faces and names are known are easily exposed to image manipulation, legal and technical protective measures are urgently needed."
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]