Kim Hee-cheol reveals deepfake victimization: "Ads with…

Super Junior member Kim Hee-cheol recently revealed that he was a victim of deepfake technology, discovering his likeness and voice being used in unauthorized advertisements for gambling sites. The incident, which also involved the creator Chimchakman, left the artist feeling terrified and prompted immediate reporting to his agency.

What happened

Kim Hee-cheol discussed the incident during an appearance on the YouTube channel TEO's 'Salon Drop' on July 21, 2026. He explained that he encountered videos circulating online that featured both himself and Chimchakman appearing to promote gambling services. These ads utilized deepfake generative AI technology to synthesize both his face and his voice, creating a convincing but fraudulent endorsement.

Upon discovering the content, Kim Hee-cheol reported the issue to SM Entertainment. During the same broadcast, an in-house lawyer from the company addressed the broader issue of deepfake crimes and malicious posts targeting artists. The legal representative confirmed that the company uses an internal reporting system called 'Gwangya 119' to collect evidence from fans and file criminal complaints. The lawyer noted that individuals responsible for creating and posting illegal deepfake content have been caught, prosecuted, and are currently serving prison sentences for their actions. The 'Gwangya 119' system currently receives between 200 and over 500 reports, reflecting the ongoing struggle against digital impersonation and harassment.