KPop Demon Hunters has become the most-watched original title in Netflix history with a staggering 325million views, but after riding the wave of success for several months, the film has encountered a scandal.
Released in June, the animated musical fantasy flick has taken the world by storm, telling the story of a Korean pop girl band living double lives as demon slayers, facing off against a boy band who are, you guessed it, secretly demons themselves.
The film features original catchy tunes from both fictional bands Huntr/x and the Saja Boys, which have topped the charts in real life and become the first soundtrack of 2025 to reach Billboard’s top 10.
However, one of the voices behind a character in the movie has been forced to address allegations of AI being used to craft the music, which is sung by humans.
Ejae, 33, achieved her international breakthrough by voicing Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters. She also helped write several of the songs, including the viral sensation Golden.
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The singer and actress, whose real name is Kim Eun-jae, was asked by Wired if any artificial intelligence was used in the film.
She responded: ‘No. One thing I find so interesting, so fascinating, is people are like, “Oh, it’s an animated character, and it’s a girl group, and they’re singing; it’s AI. Like, why is this AI girl group becoming number one?” and stuff like that, right?
‘It’s hurtful because we work so hard. I’m a singer; I’m not an AI.’
Her remarks come after Rei Ami, who provides the singing voice of Zoey, had a far more direct response to the AI allegations.
Taking to X in August, she replied to a post about the success of Golden, with the original user writing: ‘Y’all realize this is one step towards AI completely taking over the music industry as well right?’
She retorted in a now-viral clapback: ‘EJAE, AUDREY NUNA AND I ARE NOT AI — ARE U B*****S DUMB?!’
The team of writers behind the film’s original songs also consists of Danny Chung, Ido, Vince, Kush, Jenna Andrews, Stephen Kirk, Lindgren, Mark Sonnenblick, and Daniel Roja, while voices of the soundtrack include Audrey Nuna, Andrew Choi, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee, Neckwav, and Lea Salonga.
AI discourse has been dominating the internet throughout 2025, and it’s certainly not an alien concept for people to suggest it be used in music.
Research conducted at the start of the year found that 10,000 AI tracks were being uploaded to streaming service Deezer every day, which is around 10% of the music uploaded, potentially higher.
While not all of the songs can be accessed by subscribers, they are still filling up the catalogue and, as such, can be used for fraudulent activity, like playing them in the hopes of claiming revenue.
Also this year, AI R&B singer Xania Monet signed a $3million (£2.2m) record deal, her music clocking up a whopping 17m streams in just two months.
Created by poet and designer Talisha Jones, she was made via Suno, which is basically another branch of ChatGPT, used to turn her lyrics into sounds.
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Meanwhile, over in the film industry, AI actress Tilly Norwood was found to have attracted talent agents who wanted to ‘hire’ her, with A-listers such as Emily Blunt calling the whole thing ‘terrifying’.
The Devil Wears Prada star is by no means the first celeb to share their brutal thoughts on AI use, with even Prince Harry joining a large group of public figures in speaking out with his concerns on super-powerful AI.
Calling for a ban on the development of AI superintelligence, the Duke of Sussex, along with Sir Stephen Fry, Will.I.am, Kate Bush, and Sir Richard Branson, said: ‘The future of AI should serve humanity, not replace it.
‘The true test of progress will be not how fast we move, but how wisely we steer.’
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