“I’m suspending activities because I’m pregnant”... Chinese girl group member turns out to be AI

[Financial News] A member of a Chinese girl group announced that she was suspending activities because of a pregnancy, but controversy has arisen after it emerged that she is a virtual character created using artificial intelligence (AI), not a real person. The production team explained that the pregnancy and suspension of activities were both fictional.
Recently, a notice in the form of a letter to fans from Miti, a member of Chinese girl group Baby Queen, was posted on social media.
In the notice, Miti announced that she was pregnant and would temporarily suspend group activities. Miti said, “I confirmed that I’m pregnant, and after discussion, I’ll temporarily leave the team to rest,” adding, “It wasn’t an easy decision, and I sincerely apologize to the members and staff who are preparing for a comeback together.”
However, Baby Queen was not a group made up of real people but a virtual idol group created with AI technology. After the notice that a member was suspending activities because of a pregnancy was posted, people online continued to say they found it hard to understand.
Internet users questioned the pregnancy announcement by a virtual character. Reactions on social media included, “So is the baby’s father AI too?” and “Does that mean a robot is giving birth to a robot?”
Just one hour after the pregnancy announcement, a teaser video for a new song and news of a comeback appeared on Baby Queen’s official social media account. Some internet users questioned whether the pregnancy announcement was noise marketing, deliberately intended to attract attention to promote the new song.
As criticism continued, the production team explained why it had decided to suspend Miti’s activities and gave its position on the pregnancy announcement. The team said, “We decided Miti would leave because of the burden of managing several AI actors and idols,” adding, “The explanation of the departure process was somewhat inappropriate, but it was all fictional.”
The team also explained the purpose behind creating Baby Queen. It said, “Baby Queen is a character created as a hobby by fans who like K-pop,” adding, “It was only for personal enjoyment, and there was no intention of making money from it.”
Recently, virtual idols using virtual reality (VR) and AI technology have also continued to pursue music activities. Unlike traditional idols, who have real people appear on stage, they use virtual characters.
Among virtual idol groups, PLAVE is a five-member boy group that debuted in March 2023. It has achieved success in the music market, becoming the first K-pop virtual group to enter the U.S. Billboard 200.

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter