The “Brad Pitt in Bukchon” sighting that set the internet ablaze has finally been revealed as an AI-generated fake created by actor Jung Yoon-min. However, instead of offering an apology, Jung is fueling the fire by lecturing the public and the media in his explanation.
On the 11th, Jung Yoon-min posted a lengthy rebuttal on his SNS, stating, “What is scarier than AI technology is the reality where people spread information without fact-checking, create frames, and make someone look like a fool.” He claimed he posted the photo lightly on a private account to warn his acquaintances about the dangers of AI and didn’t expect it to be distorted this way, emphasizing that he never intended for it to become a news story. He further justified his silence over the weekend, saying he was simply watching in disbelief as his personal space was turned into news and scrutinized.
Previously, on the 9th, Jung posted a photo of himself standing next to Brad Pitt with the caption, “Omg, meeting Bread-hyung in Bukchon.” Because the photo looked so real, rumors of Brad Pitt’s unofficial visit to Korea spread rapidly throughout the weekend. The confusion was amplified because Jung was not known for creating AI content and remained silent for two days despite a flood of questions. In reality, Brad Pitt is currently filming a new movie in Ireland, yet the fake news was accepted as fact while Jung remained a passive observer.
Many are pointing out that Jung’s explanation, coming only after he enjoyed the viral attention, is a classic case of “the pot calling the kettle black.” He argued that he shared the image for the public good to raise awareness about how sophisticated AI has become. Despite this, he offered no apology for creating and distributing the fake photo that caused the chaos. Instead, he took a condescending tone, warning the public to “be careful not to be fooled by fake photos.”
While some media outlets deserve criticism for using provocative headlines to drive clicks, the core of the issue lies in a public figure’s careless distribution of a “fake image” and his irresponsible aftermath. Having become the source of fake news while claiming to warn against the dangers of AI, it seems unlikely that Jung Yoon-min will escape the cold gaze of the public.
