Netflix Caught Using AI-Generated Art To Promote A Popular Korean Series

The use of AI “art,” especially by major brands for profit, continues to be a divisive topic. The current lack of clarity over copyright and AI’s controversial training methods have incurred backlash, particularly from artists who have slammed companies for using AI instead of hiring human artists.

In November of 2024, Netflix removed an AI poster used to promote Arcane, a popular animated series set in the world of Riot Games‘ League of Legends. After viewers noticed that Netflix had extended the image using generative AI, creating a stir online, Riot Games’ brand lead called out Netflix, stating that this was “disrespectful to the incredible artists who worked on the show.”

Prior to the Arcane controversy, Netflix was accused of using AI to alter photographs of kill-for-hire orchestrator Jennifer Pan in the true crime documentary What Jennifer Did. Now, viewers have spotted another AI image.

what-jennifer-did-image-presente — | *Netflix*

Unlike Jennifer Pan’s photographs, the latest Netflix image under scrutiny appears to be 100% AI-created. This image of a chef opening a fridge is currently being used to advertise Chef & My Fridge, a Korean cooking show also known as Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.

Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, which aired from 2014 to 2019, features celebrity guests and famous chefs who create dishes using whatever they find in the celebs’ fridges. The show’s newest season will premiere on Netflix on January 12.

MV5BMTk4NDU5MTYyNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMzQyNDI0NDM@._V1_ — | *JTBC*

Unlike the Arcane thumbnail, the use of AI for this thumbnail has largely gone unnoticed so far, leading up to the new season’s release. Netizens who have noticed the image, however, are pointing out its tell-tale flaws.

For example, the handles are on the inside of the fridge doors, which would make it impossible to close the fridge in real life. There also appears to be something odd happening to the wall tiles.