"Am I Better in Deepfake?" Absurd Question at Miss Korea Sparks Netizens' Anger

Miss Korea Pageant 'Impromptu Question' Controversy
"Why Are They Asking Such Questions?" Netizens Outraged

As illegal synthetic content using 'deepfake' (AI-based manipulation technology) has emerged as a social issue, criticism from netizens is pouring in after it was revealed that an inappropriate question related to this was asked to a contestant at the Miss Korea pageant. On the 26th, a scene from the '2024 Miss Korea Selection Contest' held on the 24th was shared on various online communities and social networking services (SNS). On the screen above the stage, the question "If I am more attractive in a deepfake video, how can I reduce the gap between that and the real me?" was displayed behind the contestants.

On the 26th, a scene from the '2024 Miss Korea Pageant' held on the 24th was shared across various online communities and social networking services (SNS). [Photo source=Online Community]

On SNS platforms such as X and Instagram, there was a flood of criticism saying the question was "inappropriate." Netizens responded with comments like, "Women have been shouting for punishment against deepfake sexual exploitation, so how can they be made to answer such a question at a beauty pageant?", "This is the current state of women's rights," "What does this question have to do with the qualifications of Miss Korea?", and "This is why no one cares about Miss Korea anymore."

The anger of netizens did not stop there. Protest comments continued on the official SNS of the Miss Korea selection contest. One netizen wrote, "Apologize for sexually harassing the participants and causing secondary harm to the victims," "I hope the person in charge looks into which field uses deepfakes the most. What is the intention behind comparing the results with attractiveness?", and "I cannot understand this question coming out of the 2024 Miss Korea selection contest in any reasonable way," among other protests.

Netizens' anger did not stop there. Protest comments continued on the official SNS of the Miss Korea pageant.
[Photo by Miss Korea official SNS]

Amid ongoing repercussions related to the issue of deepfake sexual exploitation materials, the National Assembly and government are taking steps to prevent damage caused by related crimes. On the 23rd, the 'Deepfake Sexual Crime Prevention Act,' which strengthens punishment for deepfake sexual exploitation materials, passed the National Assembly standing committee. The police have formed a 'False Video Concentrated Task Force' and have been intensively cracking down on deepfake sexual exploitation materials since last month. Kim Bong-sik, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated on the 23rd, "We are currently investigating 126 cases and have identified 74 suspects."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.