WAKEONE Faces Backlash Over Alleged Sexist Favoritism After “Excessive” AI Use
WAKEONE is facing criticism following the release of teasers for IZNA’s upcoming comeback.
Earlier this year, it was announced that IZNA would return with their first-ever comeback “Sign,” following their November 2024 debut. The first set of teasers were dropped on March 19, KST, much to the excitement of waiting fans.
On March 23, the group shared more content for the comeback, including short lyric posters that gave a hint at the tracking having a dreamy feel.
Lyric Poster
Digital Single 'SIGN'
2025.03.31 6PM (KST)💿 Pre-Savehttps://t.co/4EhlNnGwW0#izna #이즈나#SIGN #izna_SIGN pic.twitter.com/BekSblrZXo
— izna (@izna_offcl) March 22, 2025
Lyric Poster
Digital Single 'SIGN'
2025.03.31 6PM (KST)💿 Pre-Savehttps://t.co/4EhlNnGwW0#izna #이즈나#SIGN #izna_SIGN pic.twitter.com/jIp0EITfBg
— izna (@izna_offcl) March 22, 2025
One of the three teasers gained more attention than the others, but for the wrong reasons. The teaser, showing a dreamy setting with a hot air ballon and a moving train was identified as AI by fans.
Lyric Poster
Digital Single 'SIGN'
2025.03.31 6PM (KST)💿 Pre-Savehttps://t.co/4EhlNnH4Ly#izna #이즈나#SIGN #izna_SIGN pic.twitter.com/ljiEnl6I01
— izna (@izna_offcl) March 22, 2025
The usage of AI has been criticized for a variety of reasons, including how AI steals from actual artists and the negative capabilities of the technology including deep fakes.
Many fans called out the company over the usage of AI in general.
of course the first thing i see when i click on this app is that shitone has released AI concept teasers for izna's single comeback. and i thought that jiyoon not being here was going to be the worst thing to come out of this https://t.co/1aGktK3rLi pic.twitter.com/xN28ERq68u
— FATIMA !!!!! (@ruannies) March 23, 2025
Lazy ass graphics designer, stop using AI omg https://t.co/DYbEpxC51U
— ✌🏽 (@abccs_) March 22, 2025
excuse me whats up w the ai shit again https://t.co/K6qPHsRCjX
— mari 💌 (@iznadiary) March 22, 2025
Some used this usage of AI for this video of another example of WAKEONE mistreating its girl groups, using the example of the company hiring artist Junji Ito for ZEROBASEONE’s recent comeback and not hiring an actual artist for IZNA.
Fans also bought up the company’s alleged treatment of Kep1er as proof of the company’s supposed bias against girl groups, without placing blame on any groups.
I’m sorry wakeone having the funds to get junji fucking ito to do art for zb1 but using AI for their girl groups is crazzyyyyyyy to me CRAZYYYYYY ur proving all the gg stans right with this shit https://t.co/W841qI9Dnq
— pasta is seeing skz (@shamtxt) March 22, 2025
wakeone cmon noww yall hired actual artists for zb1 why cant you do the same for iznaa😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/LyMtzjH7qv
— asa🦷 (@hulalahulahoop) March 23, 2025
from giving kep1er the cheapest mv debut ever to giving izna cb fucking ai @wakeone_offcl we don’t expect anything from you and you still achieve to disappoint us https://t.co/arAwagDR4P
— cande 💌🪽 #FREEMADEIN (@itznagomi) March 23, 2025
