Controversial YouTuber and livestreamer Ramsey Khalid Ismael better known as Johnny Somali faces further legal challenges in South Korea following allegations of sharing a deepfake video of himself with Kick streamer, bongbong_IRL.
The female content creator reportedly filed a police complaint against Somali after he shared a now-deleted video featuring an AI-altered clip of the two appearing to kiss. Somali, whose actions have sparked widespread backlash in South Korea, is already under investigation for previous incidents, including defiling a significant war memorial and causing public disturbances.
In a recent video, Somali addressed criticism from South Koreans by showing supposed AI-generated images of himself with bongbong_IRL, whom he claimed to be his girlfriend. He used the images as evidence of a romantic connection, repeatedly showing edited photos of the two together and claiming she invited him to South Korea to create content. At one point, Somali presented a deepfake video of the two appearing to kiss, emphasizing his claim that he has a “Korean girlfriend.”
Here's a clip of Johnny Somali falsely accusing Bongbong_IRL of being his girlfriend and showing the deepfake videos. pic.twitter.com/iL9XMGzCx3
— k7 (@k7bb7) November 1, 2024
Bongbong_IRL’s complaint was filed at the Cheongwon Police Department in connection with the deepfake video, though she later decided not to press charges. Reports suggest, however, that South Korean authorities may still pursue action against Somali due to the government’s intensified focus on AI-generated content and deepfakes.
CTV News notes that the South Korean government recently increased the maximum punishment for distributing AI deepfakes from five to seven years, which could mean a combined potential prison sentence of up to 17 years for Somali if convicted on multiple charges.
The livestreamer’s behavior, including derogatory language and provocative comments, has only added to the backlash. Initially, bongbong_IRL reacted to the video humorously, appearing to dismiss it as a joke. However, as the controversy gained momentum, she reportedly distanced herself from Somali, who has since been trending on social media due to his ongoing antics.
Bongbong_irl took down all of her Youtube content due to the backlash from Korean netizens harassing her for streaming with Johnny Somali. Only her Kick channel is still active. She did mention the police has contacted her about the defamation report. pic.twitter.com/BjZt8Wmehu
— Team FT (@teamft_official) November 2, 2024
The controversy involving Somali extends beyond the deepfake video. Known for provocative actions during his stay in South Korea, Somali previously sparked outrage after filming himself kissing the Statue of Peace in Seoul, a memorial for victims of wartime sexual slavery. This incident, along with others, prompted an official investigation by local authorities. Somali later issued an apology, stating he was unaware of the statue’s significance, but public sentiment and media coverage have remained skeptical of his contrition.
Adding to his mounting legal issues, Somali was formally indicted on November 12 by prosecutors in Seoul for causing a disturbance at a convenience store. The 24-year-old is now restricted from leaving South Korea as the case proceeds.
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