KISS OF LIFE, a K-pop group that has faced major backlash over allegations of cultural appropriation earlier this year, continues to struggle with the fallout from their controversy.
The group’s reputation has remained tarnished after a live broadcast where they were accused of cultural appropriation, leading to widespread criticism for their actions.
The latest sign of this lingering impact came with the announcement of KISS OF LIFE’s inclusion in the KCON LA 2025 lineup.
Typically an exciting announcement for any idol group, the tweet from KISS OF LIFE was met not with praise but with waves of negative reactions.
KISS OF LIFE (Credit: YouTube)
Some fans criticized KCON for choosing to give KISS OF LIFE a platform, claiming that the group did not deserve the spot due to their previous actions.
The controversy had clearly left a deep mark, as multiple posts pointed out that American fans, in particular, would not be welcoming of the group.
Some even expressed disappointment that other groups, like BLACKSWAN, who they believed were more deserving, were being overlooked.
The criticism directed at KISS OF LIFE is rooted in the group’s previous cultural appropriation incident, which has led to a series of negative responses from both international and Korean fans.
Despite the group’s efforts to apologize for their actions, the damage to their image seems to be long-lasting, as their recent song release also failed to generate much excitement or success.
This controversy continues to follow KISS OF LIFE, and it seems unlikely that the group will be able to shake off the negative impact anytime soon.
Fans’ reactions suggest that the public is still unforgiving of the cultural appropriation scandal, and the group may have to work harder to regain their standing in the industry.
The situation has highlighted the challenges KISS OF LIFE now faces in an era where fans are increasingly vocal about issues of cultural sensitivity and respect.
These apps allow users to upload their own photo and the photo of a celebrity or fictional character, which the AI then uses to create a video of them engaging in an intimate kiss.
The ads have caused widespread outrage among netizens, who are calling out the exploitation and invasion of privacy inherent in such apps.
The ads, which have appeared on platforms like Instagram, showcase deeply personal and inappropriate interactions that are unsettling to many viewers.
While some ads display fans kissing their favorite idols, others take the disturbing concept further, showing full-on, deep kissing videos.
The shocking nature of these ads, especially given their explicit content, has led to a strong backlash.
Many users have expressed disgust and horror at the idea, with some even reporting the ads but finding that they continue to appear.
One user mentioned how they saw an ad for the app while scrolling through Instagram, calling it “the most revolting thing” they had encountered lately.
The backlash is not limited to just the app users; the ads have sparked larger concerns about exploitation and the ethics of AI technology in this context.
Netizens have criticized the companies behind these apps for their lack of sensitivity to the impact such creations can have, especially considering how the use of an idol’s image in such intimate contexts can be damaging to both the idol’s reputation and their fans’ experience.
Some users have pointed out that the advertisers seem to be primarily based in Hong Kong, adding a layer of political suspicion to the conversation, with some even suggesting that there are ulterior motives behind the spread of these ads.
As the situation continues to unfold, many are calling for stricter regulations and filters to prevent such ads from being seen, particularly on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where younger, impressionable users might be exposed to them.
The controversy surrounding these “AI kissing” apps serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unchecked AI technology in the digital world.
