"Korean Baseball Stadium Scene Goes Viral Overseas... Those Who Know 'Cho Inseong' Noticed the Truth"

So Natural That Only Broadcast Analysis Reveals Manipulation
Growing Concerns Over Social Confusion Caused by AI-Generated Images

A video of a woman captured during a baseball broadcast at a Korean stadium, which became a hot topic not only in Korea but also in overseas online communities and social networking services (SNS), is now suspected to be artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content.

A screenshot of a woman from a baseball broadcast video presumed to be AI-generated content. Screenshot from Instagram

Recently, a short video showing a woman appearing on a baseball broadcast screen was widely shared across various online communities, generating significant attention. In the video, a woman in the stands, dressed in a white top and jeans, can be seen watching the game with her legs crossed. At one point, she appears to sigh and shift her gaze, seemingly displeased with the game.

This video, which attracted attention both domestically and abroad, has been pointed out as likely to be AI-generated. Looking closely at the broadcast screen, Hanwha Eagles pitcher Kim Seohyun and Doosan Bears batter Cho Inseong are shown. Kim Seohyun joined the Hanwha Eagles in 2023, while Cho Inseong started his professional career with the LG Twins in 1998, retired in 2017, and is currently a coach. Moreover, Cho Inseong has never played for the Doosan Bears.

A screenshot of a woman appearing in a baseball broadcast video presumed to be AI-generated content. Screenshot from Instagram

Additionally, a placard next to the woman reads "Choegang Eun Doosan" ("The Strongest is Doosan"), but the official slogan of the Doosan Bears is "Choegang Doosan" ("The Strongest Doosan"). In the video, the word "Doosan" is written in red, whereas in reality, the word "Choegang" is typically displayed in red. Furthermore, it was reported that there has never been a game between Doosan and Hanwha in either this year or last year where the score was 4-3 in the 8th inning. Other inconsistencies include the presence of English commentary in a Korean professional baseball broadcast, which is unusual and raises further doubts about the video's authenticity.

A female captured in what appears to be an artificial intelligence (AI) content baseball broadcast video. Instagram capture

Some have voiced growing concerns about AI-manipulated images and videos, pointing out that it is only through careful analysis of the broadcast screen—not the apparent quality of the video itself—that manipulation can be detected. There is increasing demand for clear guidelines regarding AI-generated content posted on SNS.

This is not the first time an AI-generated video or image that spread on SNS has become a subject of controversy or debate. Last month, when a wolf named Neuggu escaped from a Daejeon zoo, a fake sighting photo posted on SNS influenced both the authorities' emergency alert messages and their search efforts. It was even claimed that the image caused the golden time for Neuggu’s rescue to be missed. Ultimately, on April 24, the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency’s cyber investigation unit announced the arrest of a man in his 40s, identified as Mr. A, for generating and distributing a fake sighting photo of Neuggu using AI, thereby obstructing police and fire authorities in their search (obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means).

In July of last year, some broadcasters also issued false reports, mistaking an AI-generated video of a sparrow pecking at a lovebug for an actual scene and incorrectly reporting that a "natural enemy had appeared."

Since January this year, Korea has been enforcing the "Basic AI Act," which requires a watermark to be displayed on outputs generated by generative AI. The law mandates that, in cases where social side effects are a concern or when deepfake content (images, video, audio, etc.) is difficult to distinguish from reality, users must be informed or notified that the content was created by AI. However, this law applies only to companies and businesses that develop AI models and directly provide related services. If AI is simply used as a work or creative tool, it is not subject to regulation. Experts emphasize the need to expand guidelines for AI-generated content posted on SNS and to impose legal sanctions on platform operators as well.

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