On April 23 KST, Billlie released a chilling comeback film for their upcoming 1st full album, 'the collective soul and unconscious: chapter two'.
Titled 'cartography of the unconscious', the art film featured a surrealist narrative told in an animation style reminiscent of European dark fantasies from the 1990s, accompanied by the melody of Billlie's upcoming b-side track "$ECRET no more".
However, soon after the art film's release, numerous fans raised suspicions that the film was created using generative AI technology. On top of that, some accused the film of plagiarizing an art style found in a 2025 French short film titled 'Niccolò'.
Suspicions of AI-based plagiarism soon reached the creators of 'Niccolò', including co-director David Florian, who reacted by commenting, "So gross. This band used our film 'Niccolò' to create an AI slop music video."
(A trailer for the short film can be found below.)
As many fans spoke up to express their frustration and disappointment on social media, the girl group's management Mystic Story also took note of the complaints.
The company's CEO Jungsu Han attempted to address the issue by sharing,
"I have absolutely no intention of using the output of AI as a mere means of cutting costs, or as a way of pushing artists aside and producing work in some cheap and easy manner... That said, when an artist working with us decides that, for a work we are building together, using AI, or even introducing something far more unfamiliar than that, carries artistic meaning and is something necessary to complete the work, I will continue to respect that artist's perspective..."
(Full statement below.)
However, fans continued to disapprove of the use of AI in Billlie's comeback film while also harshly rebuking CEO Han's statement.
Eventually, the CEO spoke up once again with an apology, assuring,
"I will listen carefully to every word you share with us out of your love and care for Billlie.
Going forward, there will be no unnecessary use of AI in the work of Billlie or Mystic Story's artists. And for the work of the artists who collaborate on our artists' projects, my team and I will take even greater care, so that no unintended or inappropriate use of AI takes place, as we support our musicians' creative work.
I sincerely apologize that my words on the use of AI, despite my intentions, have caused pain, distress, and disappointment to those of you who love and worry about Billlie.
For Billlie's upcoming full-length album comeback as well, I will offer even deeper support with sincerity and humility, so that the release proceeds smoothly and brings results that reflect the effort Billlie and the entire Mystic Story team have put in.
Once again, I sincerely apologize for not having fully understood the hearts of the many who love and care for Billlie."
I will listen carefully to every word you share with us out of your love and care for Billlie.
— Jungsu Peacedelic Han (韓peacedelic正洙) (@peacedelic_su) April 23, 2026
Going forward, there will be no unnecessary use of AI in the work of Billlie or Mystic Story's artists. And for the work of the artists who collaborate on our artists' projects, my…
Mystic Story has yet to officially address accusations of AI-based plagiarism.
Meanwhile, Billlie will return on May 6 at 6 PM KST with the release of their 1st full album, 'the collective soul and unconscious: chapter two'. The album's b-side, "$ECRET No More", combines a sample of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" with a rhythmic trap beat to produce an innovative new take on a classic.
SEE ALSO: Billlie draws huge crowd at Seoul busking event celebrating first full-length album
SEE ALSO: Billlie captivates fans with powerful special busking performance
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