Songwriter Behind ‘Soda Pop’ from KPop Demon Hunters Denies Using ChatGPT, Sparks AI Controversy

The soundtrack of Netflix’s K-Pop thriller K-Pop Demon Hunters has become a cultural phenomenon, but now one of its standout tracks, “Soda Pop” performed by the fictional group the Saja Boys, is at the center of a debate over AI’s role in music creation. The controversy stems from claims that songwriter Vince, one of the credited writers on the song, used ChatGPT to help write it. The story gained traction after a now-deleted tweet—preserved in a Reddit screengrab—appeared to come from an OpenAI executive. It stated that during a recent event at OpenAI’s newly opened Seoul office, Vince shared that ChatGPT helped him craft “Soda Pop,” specifically providing ideas to make the song “more bubbly.” This claim was later echoed in an English-language report by the Joongang Daily, fueling speculation that AI played a direct role in the song’s creation. However, a closer look at the original Korean version of the article reveals a key discrepancy: the source text makes no mention of ChatGPT being used in the production of K-Pop Demon Hunters’ music. A Gizmodo translator clarified that Vince’s actual statement was more general. He said he “sometimes uses ChatGPT to get some inspiration while producing K-Pop,” highlighting the broader integration of AI tools in the industry rather than a specific instance in this project. This distinction is important. While AI is increasingly used in music creation—especially for generating melodies, lyrics, or sound design—there’s no verified evidence that ChatGPT was directly involved in writing “Soda Pop.” The confusion likely arose from the misinterpretation of a broader comment as a specific admission. The situation is further complicated by previous controversies surrounding the film. K-Pop Demon Hunters has faced scrutiny over allegations that its characters were generated using AI, despite Netflix’s claims that they were designed by human artists. Singer Rei Ami, a member of the movie’s fictional girl group Huntr/x, has had to publicly affirm that she and her co-singers, Ejae and Audrey Nuna, are real people, not AI-generated avatars. Netflix has been approached for comment but has not yet responded to inquiries about the alleged use of AI in the songwriting process. As the line between human creativity and AI assistance continues to blur, questions about transparency and credit in entertainment are likely to grow. For now, the story remains a mix of rumor, context, and interpretation—underscoring the challenges of reporting on AI’s evolving role in creative industries.