"Stop spreading misinformation"—CARATs call out BBC for allegedly accusing SEVENTEEN of using AI for 'MAESTRO' lyrics

SEVENTEEN released their comeback album, 17 IS RIGHT HERE, on April 29, 2024. On its first release day, the album sold over 2 million copies on Hanteo. However, on July 10, 2024, an article from the British news organization BBC allegedly accused the K-pop band of using AI in the album's title track, MAESTRO.

The BBC article stated that MAESTRO included AI-generated scenes in the music video and "might well" include AI in its song lyrics. Furthermore, the article claimed that SEVENTEEN's Woozi had mentioned using AI for MAESTRO in a press conference held on April 30.

A Filmfare article on Woozi's statement from the press conference states that the K-pop idol reportedly said,

"I have tried of course, because this is a technological development that we have to leverage, not just be dissatisfied with. It is something we have to use along the way. So I practised using AI and tried to look for the pros and cons."

Meanwhile, on July 12, SEVENTEEN's fans (CARAT) were dissatisfied with the BBC article for allegedly spreading misinformation about the band and discrediting their hard work. They rallied on social media and called out the British news organization and the article's author, as the post went viral online.

"Stop spreading misinformation"

CARATs emphasized that although Woozi had mentioned experimenting with AI, he had not directly connected its usage to songwriting. They stated that the article undermined Woozi's songwriting and composition credibility as a producer of SEVENTEEN (alongside Bumzu) since the group's debut in 2015.

"It's really shady how the journalist who wrote this piece of defaming misinformation immediately went private. Shameful and shady. Carats how about we mass report her?" — one fan wrote.

"Saying 'trust me bro' wouldve weighed more than "might well include". twisting woozi's words and for what? he said that he has experimented just so that he keeps up with how technology is evolving, nowhere in his statement it stated that the actual final song contained AI lyrics." — another fan wrote.

"They used robot motion tech NOT generative AI. Woozi has also talked about experimenting with AI because he wanted to protect their own unique identity. BBC you're literally out here spreading lies about Seventeen." — one fan added.

Fans also claimed that the article's author made their LinkedIn and other social media accounts private after the online backlash.

"The article is extremely MISLEADING. Firstly, you have twisted Woozi's words & inserted a different narrative to what was originally intended by SEVENTEEN regarding the usage of AI. Secondly, what is your source? Is it some random Twitter misinformation? Journalism bar is so LOW" — another fan commented.

'This is disgusting misinformation. Please delete this immediately if you have any decency. This is extremely disrespectful towards Seventeen and Woozi. From now on please do your research before writing articles. Shameful, very shameful." — one fan retorted.

"The article is literally mocking the entire sleepless night and hardwork Woozi did to build seventeen discography by saying random bs is said by Woozi, how could you be an journalist and can't put any proof for any of the statement you used, @pledis_17 should sue for defamation" — one fan asserted.

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More about SEVENTEEN's MAESTRO music video

MAESTRO's music video underscores the coexistence of artificial intelligence (AI) with humans. According to fans, the music video concept for SEVENTEEN emphasized the value of human interaction, which AI can never fully replace. Furthermore, the song highlights the K-pop group's decade-long legacy and their becoming the "maestros" of music with their hard work and grit.

The album was first revealed on March 31, 2024, at the band's Follow Again concert in Incheon on April 2, 2024. Pledis Entertainment dropped the album's teaser the following day. According to an article by Star News Korea, Max Dalton worked on its illustrations. For the uninitiated, Max Dalton is known for his work in Hollywood films like The French Dispatch and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

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17 IS RIGHT HERE consists of 33 songs, including four new tracks such as MAESTRO, LALALI, Cheers to Youth, and Spell. The songs are divided into two CDs and include new renditions of their oldest hits, such as 24H, HOME, and MANSAE.