Jung Yun-min posts AI photo with Brad Pitt, remains silent... 'Controversy' over right of publicity and spread of false facts [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Jung Yun-min sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated photo combining her face with that of Brad Pitt and writing a caption that made it appear as if they had truly met.

On the 9th, Jung Yun-min posted a selfie on her Instagram with the caption, "What a hit to meet a bread-shaped person in the alleys of Bukchon." The released photo, featuring Jung Yun-min standing side by side with Brad Pitt against the backdrop of a Bukchon Hanok, drew attention.

Upon seeing this, Jung Yun-min's acquaintances reacted with comments such as "It's not AI, right?", "I thought it was AI," and "What a hit." Jung Yun-min left no response, and the post, which seemed to suggest that Hollywood top star Brad Pitt had visited Bukchon, was picked up by news outlets, creating the impression that Brad Pitt had come to Korea. However, to date, Jung Yun-min has not explained that the photo is AI-generated.

In fact, analysis using tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini identifies the photo as AI-generated. In particular, faint AI logos visible on the right side of the photo indicate it is an AI image.

If the photo is indeed an AI-generated image, caution is required. There are growing calls to label photos and videos created with AI as such. While Jung Yun-min appears to have playfully posted the AI image she created on social media, posting an image that directly uses Brad Pitt's likeness could become problematic.

Even if an image is AI-generated, if the person depicted is identifiable, it could constitute an infringement of the right of publicity. There is also a risk of infringing on entertainers' publicity rights. Furthermore, if the AI photo misleads the public into believing they actually met, it could be considered an act that damages the individual's reputation or deceives the public.

In Korea, labeling obligations for AI-generated content are set to be strengthened starting in 2026. If an image is posted without disclosing that it was AI-generated, causing confusion, it could become subject to platform regulations or legal sanctions. While such photos might be dismissed as a prank, it must be recognized that posting something as real without the individual's consent could raise issues regarding the right of publicity and publicity rights at any time.

In particular, since Jung Yun-min is herself an actor, she should be more sensitive to issues such as infringement of the right of publicity and publicity rights.

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*This content was translated by AI.