What is the Johnny Somali AI deepfake controversy? Kick streamer bongbong_IRL allegedly files police report

Controversial livestreamer and YouTuber Johnny Somali is in hot water after sharing an alleged deepfake video of himself kissing another Kick streamer named bongbong_irl. In a now-deleted livestream, the female content creator reportedly filed a police complaint regarding the clip.

Information about bongbong_irl's supposed police report came earlier this month (November 2024). This was before it was announced that Johnny Somali might be facing 10 years in prison in South Korea for his controversial actions involving a war memorial statue of a woman.

While the video where bongbong_IRL allegedly filed a case was taken down from her channel, it has been reshared by viewers.

In it, the Kick streamer can be seen seemingly handing over official documents over a counter. Readers should note that bongbong_IRL has not talked about this on social media. While she has distanced herself from Johnny Somali amid the recent controversy, she did collaborate with him before the scandal started and garnering mainstream coverage on Korean news.

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Johnny Somali could have seven years added to his potential sentence due to the AI deepfake controversy

Johnny Somali is trending on social media for the various controversial things he has done in South Korea over the past few weeks. The IRL streamer reportedly caused so much trouble that law enforcement conducted a formal investigation into his activities in the nation.

One of Johnny's most scandalous actions involved the content creator filming himself kissing a war memorial called the Statue of Peace in Seoul. Later, he apologized for his behavior. The statue was built in remembrance of the countless women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. As per reports, Johnny can even face a 10-year prison sentence for his actions.

On top of that, the content creator has found himself in even more trouble after a clip of him seemingly bragging about having a girlfriend recently went viral on social media. In the video, he shows supposed AI-made deepfakes of himself and Kick streamer bongbong_IRL kissing. This clip also had real photos of them from their collaboration.

Additionally, Jhonny can be heard talking to South Koreans 'attacking' him for claiming he has a Korean girlfriend.

"Let me show you my girlfriend. You want to see my girlfriend? Look at this. I have a Korean girlfriend. I don't know why you guys attack me... She's a streamer, bongbong_IRL. This is my girlfriend... She told me, 'Come to Korea, let's make content.' This is my girlfriend, bongbong_IRL. Come on, do your homework. I thought you Koreans were good."

Showing a picture from their Kick stream where the two can be seen sitting together, Johnny Somali claimed that they had gone on a romantic date. He then seemingly showed an edited AI deepfake of himself kissing bongbong_IRL.

"You don't believe she is my girlfriend? Look, we were on a romantic date. Look, in a romantic date together drinking wine. I have a Korean girlfriend. Look me and my Korean girlfriend (supposed AI video of them kissing). You see? Y'all ni**as jealous you aren't getting pu**y like me."

The original livestream does not show the two kissing. Before allegedly filing the police report, Bongbong_IRL herself found the clip very funny and laughed it off while reacting to it on a Kick stream.

As per CTV News, the South Korean government has been cracking down on AI deepfakes and recently increased the maximum punishment for putting out such content from five to seven years. On paper, this could mean that Johnny Somali is looking at a 17-year sentence if he is convicted on both counts.