"Se-ri Park ♥ Seung-su Kim, Marriage Announcement" Heats Up Online with "Congratulations"... Turns Out to Be a Hoax

Se-ri Park and Seung-su Kim's Marriage Announcement Video Goes Viral
Netizens Confused by Sophisticated Fake News
Trust in Information Shaken Amid the Race for Views

Golfer-turned-broadcaster Se-ri Park (left) and actor Seung-su Kim. Yonhap News Agency · SBS ‘Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny’

"Se-ri Park ♥ Seung-su Kim, Surprise Marriage Announcement."

Recently, a video claiming that golfer-turned-broadcaster Se-ri Park and actor Seung-su Kim had announced their marriage spread rapidly, particularly on YouTube. Netizens flooded the comments with messages such as "Congratulations" and "You look great together," showing their support.

However, upon verification, it was revealed that the video was actually fake news unrelated to the truth. It was a fabricated video that skillfully combined real images and voices of the individuals with a news format to create a false narrative.

Fake news about Se-ri Park and Seung-su Kim getting married is spreading through YouTube. YouTube capture

"Congratulations"... Netizens Fooled by Fake News

The problematic video depicted the two as having developed a romantic relationship through a variety show, and claimed they made an official marriage announcement on SBS News. It even included specific details, such as a private wedding ceremony held somewhere in Seoul.

The format of the video was convincing enough to make viewers believe it was "verified information." The subtitles closely resembled those seen on actual broadcasts, and familiar news phrases were used, leading many users to accept it as fact. In reality, the comment section was flooded with messages like "Congratulations" and "You look great together." Online, the content was copied and redistributed across multiple platforms, being consumed as if it were an established fact.

Netizens who came across the video seemed to have thought it was actual news and left comments saying "Congratulations." YouTube screenshot

AI-Generated 'Plausible Lies'

Such fake videos and content created using artificial intelligence (AI) have been rapidly increasing in recent times. In the industry, this phenomenon is referred to as "AI slop." It describes the distribution of cheaply mass-produced, low-quality AI content aimed at generating views and advertising revenue.

The hallmark of AI slop is that, while entirely false, it appears real. By piecing together existing images, videos, and news articles into a seemingly coherent story, it clouds users' judgment. The impact is even greater when celebrities and news formats are combined.

South Korea: High Speed of Consumption Means Higher Risk

Experts point out that South Korea is particularly vulnerable to the spread of AI-generated content. This is due to the fast pace of video consumption and the high proportion of information shared via social media. The fact that sensational content spreads quickly through platform algorithms is also cited as a problem.

As a result, there are concerns that false information could go beyond being a simple incident, undermining public trust and fueling social confusion. Celebrity-related fake news not only infringes on individuals' reputations but also leads to widespread distrust of information in general.

Experts stress that while technological regulation and increased platform responsibility are important, the most crucial factor is the critical consumption attitude of users. Verifying sources, cross-checking information, and being wary of excessively sensational headlines are no longer optional but essential.