NCT Taeyong’s Inclusion In New Video Gets Dubbed “Most Exploitative And Dehumanizing”
When SM Entertainment dropped the “‘Intro: Wall to Wall’ Track Video” for NCT 127‘s next comeback, perhaps the backlash for being the “most exploitative and dehumanizing” was unexpected.
NCT 127 엔시티 127 'Intro: Wall to Wall' Track Video
【WALK – The 6th Album】
➫ 2024.07.15 6PM (KST)💿 Pre-Order & Save & Addhttps://t.co/I2tM1AianL#NCT127 #WALK #NCT127_WALK#Intro_Wall_to_Wall#삐그덕 #NCT127_삐그덕#NCT127_삐그덕_Walk pic.twitter.com/EhekqPDadx
— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) July 7, 2024
Fans, however, are slamming the management for excluding member Taeyong, in both text and flesh.
In a now-viral tweet, an X (former Twitter) user @podofskywhales pointed out that Taeyong’s name is missing from a list of names…
…while his face was included, but seemingly in AI-generated form.
Another user @taeyomi71 shared more “evidence” that the images of Taeyong used in the video are AI-generated.
Let me help you typics. Look at his nostril it's never thattttt big. 2nd pic, his nose now too round. And he lost a finger. 3rd pic, AGAIN, LOST A FINGER. He has a very sharp nose and have all fingers on both hands https://t.co/YlGBfyTHSW pic.twitter.com/JbvWxdKBW8
— ᑦ(◕ ᴗ ◕⁎)ᐣꕤ*🧜🏼♀️🌹 (@taeyomi71) July 7, 2024
In fact, the inclusion of AI-generated Taeyong has triggered fierce opposition from the fandom against the “disrespect.”
the only consistent thing about how SM has handled taeyong's involvement in this cb has been the disrespect. they chose to include him in this track video with AI, the most exploitative, dehumanizing option possible https://t.co/8BApkTzwzF
— %🍉|| gone on a moon tour (@panoplieme) July 7, 2024
taeyong is literally rapping “no one can replace me” and his company goes yup using an ai generated footage of him performing on stage is a must pic.twitter.com/Bpl5ccEpQf
— kat • 평툥이 walking by ¹²⁷ (@minamzerose) July 7, 2024
SM has used ai before and received negative responses. It's one thing to use it once, learn from it, and not repeat it. It's another to keep on doing it. This is especially disrespectful to Taeyong because they knew that fans would have a problem.
— fx_runningman (@fx_runningman3) July 7, 2024
NCT fans are now being encouraged to report the matter to KWANGYA119, claiming that if SM Entertainment “does not have boundaries around AI,” then “a future piece of merch, photocard, song,” etc. could all end up being AI-generated.
using AI to replicate a real artist’s face means that the company policy does not have a boundary around AI or around authenticity of artist image
it means that potentially a future piece of merch you buy, a photocard, a song you listen to, might not really be the artist. https://t.co/Jbxqljuou1
— taeyong: raise your head and look up at the stars (@podofskywhales) July 7, 2024
if you can, please send in a short report to Kwangya 119 regarding the use of AI to generate Taeyong’s image.
If they do it once they can do it again and for other SM artists.
will you know whether the poca you buy is real? Or if the vocals you are listening to are real? pic.twitter.com/E8ckhtArv3
— taeyong: raise your head and look up at the stars (@podofskywhales) July 7, 2024
SM Entertainment has not yet responded to the growing backlash. Stay tuned for more updates.
