Korean Production Company CEO Predicts Celebrity Photoshoots Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past

Recently, the CEO of the Korean production company EMP predicted that the need for celebrity photoshoots might soon be obsolete for a surprising reason.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie in a behind-the-scenes shot from a photoshoot | *@jennierubyjane/Instagram*

K-Pop idols’ activities vary from day to day. Before and during promotions, idols typically stay busy filming music videos, appearing on music programs, participating in photoshoots, and conducting fan events.

Even when not promoting new music, idols often participate in photoshoots due to their incredible global influence. Whether it be modeling the latest fashion trends, repping luxury brands, capturing their concept images, or numerous other reasons, photoshoots have become a necessity for many aspects of an idol’s career.

(Top row, L to R) NewJeans’ Hyein, Minji, and Haerin (Bottom row, L to R) Danielle and Hanni in a photoshoot for Nike | @newjeans_official/Instagram

The CEO of EMP, Kim Jin Sik, predicts that the use of AI technology could soon replace the need for in-person photoshoots and provides an example of an AI-produced photo of IVE‘s Wonyoung to demonstrate AI capabilities.

AI-produced photo of IVE’s Wonyoung | *Hankyung*

EMP specializes in 3D motion capture and has produced content for various entertainment companies in Korea, including SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and BIGHIT MUSIC.

With his industry knowledge, the company’s CEO predicts that celebrities may not need to physically be in photoshoots as early as next year.

This might be the last year that celebrities physically take-part in their photoshoots

— Kim Jin Sik

While AI technology continues to advance and has been proven to be able to generate images using specific individuals’ likenesses, there’s an ongoing debate about whether the technology is going too far, and many have raised the issue that it is too invasive. People have already generated fake images with malicious intent, using peoples’ likenesses without permission in a gross violation of human rights.

Korean Netizens Call For Strict Measures Against “Deepfake” Videos Based On K-Pop Idols

Photoshoots also give idols an opportunity to create extra content without adding an additional event to their schedules, with many artists filming fun behind-the-scenes videos while on set.

TXT’s Beomgyu, Hueningkai, and Taehyun in behind-the-scenes photoshoot content.

AI technology is becoming more common in K-Pop; aespa has a metaverse concept with their Ae alter-egos, SUPERKIND‘s Saejin is an AI group member, and the four-member girl group MAVE: is made entirely of AI members.