Why is "APOLOGIZE TO WOOZI" trending on X? SEVENTEEN's member addresses BBC's AI usage claim in the latest Instagram update

SEVENTEEN's Woozi shared an Instagram story on July 14, 2024, where he addressed the allegations made against him and his band by BBC for allegedly using AI-generated lyrics in MAESTRO.

On July 12, the British Broadcasting Corporation published an article in which it suspected the K-pop group's latest single, MAESTRO, to have incorporated AI-generated lyrics and music video scenes.

Fans of the K-pop group, CARAT, were engaged and criticized the BBC for smearing the group's decade-long hard work with their article. Meanwhile, on July 14, Woozi wrote on his Instagram story in both Korean and English,

"All Seventeen's music is written and composed by a human creator."

SEVENTEEN's Woozi's Instagram post. (Images via screenshot/Instagram/@woozi_universefactory)

Consequently, fans rallied behind his post and trended the hashtags "APOLOGIZE TO WOOZI" and "PLEDIS PROTECT YOUR ARTIST" on social media. They also expressed their disappointment in Pledis Entertainment (SEVENTEEN's agency) for not taking any action against the BBC and the article's author, Megan Lawton.

"In case you didn't understand and misinterpreted what he said AGAIN, he's literally saying you can't comprehend simple words. In short, "it's stupid". Please speak to the mic @BBCWorld @megan_lawton" — one fan wrote.

"NOW SPEAK UP AND TAKE LEGAL ACTIONS! PUBLICLY PROTECT YOUR ARTISTS ONCE AND FOR ALL PLEDIS" — another fan demanded.

"Pledis letting it slide again like this is literally defamation they should take legal action and sue BBC and the one who wrote that article" — another fan said.

Some fans also highlighted that Pledis Entertainment reached out to BBC to rectify their article. The British broadcaster replaced "AI-generated lyrics" with "AI-generated production," further inciting fans' rage.

Additionally, several fans trended the hashtags to urge Pledis Entertainment to sue the news organization for spreading misinformation against the K-pop band and band member Woozi, who is also the group's producer (along with Bomzu).

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Pledis Entertainment reached out to BBC to rectify its statement about SEVENTEEN and Woozi

South Korean media outlet Newsis reported on July 14, 2024, that Pledis Entertainment contacted BBC to rectify their article. They refuted claims of AI usage during SEVENTEEN's songwriting and composing. Pledis said:

"It is not true that AI was used in Seventeen's lyrics, and we have conveyed our position to the foreign media outlet that reported this to correct the content."

Furthermore, on July 12, BBC highlighted Woozi's 17 IS RIGHT HERE press conference from April 30, 2024, where Woozi allegedly accepted working with AI during songwriting. However, Newsis clarified that BBC misinterpreted Woozi's statements and assumed that their new album's title track, MAESTRO, included AI-generated content.

Furthermore, Newsis reported the actual statement of SEVENTEEN's Woozi from the press conference, where he said,

"Of course I've tried writing and composing lyrics with AI. Rather than complaining, I'll practice in step with it. I'm looking for its shortcomings and thinking about what its strengths are. Technology is developing quickly. I'm thinking about how we can maintain our own identity in that environment. While filming the music video with the directors, we formed a good sense of empathy, so I thought we had good chemistry."

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In other news, the K-pop band released their comeback album, 17 IS RIGHT HERE, on April 29, 2024. The album sold over 2.26 million units on Hanteo on its first day, surpassing BTS' previously held record.