The plagiarism controversy between K-Pop group BILLLIE and the renowned French animation school Gobelins has sparked sharp criticism regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the K-Pop industry. This incident raises fundamental questions about the essence of creativity and the future standards of K-Pop, extending beyond mere copyright infringement.
On April 29, Gobelins released an official statement on social media, revealing that they received a report from the team behind their 2025 graduation project, 'Nicolo.' Gobelins accused BILLLIE's visual work for their first full-length album, 'the collective soul and unconscious: chapter two,' specifically the track '$ECTRET NO MORE,' of blatantly plagiarizing images from the film. The school stated, "Our stance on plagiarism remains unchanged. Unauthorized use of students' work is unacceptable."
David Florian, one of the directors of 'Nicolo,' initially raised the allegations on his social media, pointing out that "famous group BILLLIE released a new music video, and some scenes produced using generative AI almost exactly copied our designs." He shared a video comparing the two works side by side, highlighting that even minor details like the line between the lips and chin were identical.
Florian also expressed concerns about the negative impact of generative AI on the creative industry as a whole. He identified it as a significant issue faced by artists worldwide and urged everyone to voice their opposition. However, he requested that people refrain from maliciously criticizing the artists (BILLLIE), as such decisions are often made without their knowledge. Instead, he encouraged viewers to "share their opinions constructively and explain the seriousness of the issue to those unfamiliar with it."
This is not the first time AI usage has sparked controversy in K-Pop. In September 2025, aespa faced backlash when their music video for 'Rich Man (Yellow Claw Remix)' appeared to be entirely generated by AI. At the time, major agency SM Entertainment was criticized for allegedly using AI to cut costs instead of hiring real artists.
Initially introduced as a tool to assist creators, excessive and indiscriminate use of AI poses a risk of undermining artists' identities and eroding trust with fans. Additionally, concerns about high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and security risks like deepfakes and data forgery are prompting calls for companies to reconsider AI model adoption.
As companies expand AI usage, the potential harm to artists and small creators grows. The more artists' voices and intellectual property are fed into AI models, the greater the risk of image and character distortion, leading to ethical and legal issues. Furthermore, as the line between visual effects (VFX) and AI blurs, urgent discussions are needed to define the permissible scope of AI artists and tools.
More critically, the industry's ecosystem faces potential disruption. If major agencies set a precedent of relying on AI to cut production costs, emerging creators who have honed their skills over years may find their opportunities shrinking. Ultimately, if directors, writers, and production teams are replaced by AI, the very foundation of K-Pop—collaboration, human identity, and shared narratives with fans—could be shaken.
Guzman Gonzalez Hannah, TenAsia Reporter hannahglez@tenasia.co.kr