It looks like controversial streamer Johnny Somali’s antics in South Korea are finally catching up to him, as he’s now reportedly facing guaranteed prison time in the country (aside from also being beaten up by locals in the streets).
Up to this point, Somali has somehow gotten away with repeatedly disturbing the peace in the country, but he is now facing a very serious charge of violating South Korea’s Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes, which has ‘obliterated any remaining hope for leniency’ for the American live-streamer.
The charge stems from an AI-generated deepfake video that Somali made depicting popular Korean streamer BongBong having sex with him. You can just imagine how much something like that would outrage the average South Korean, not to mention the victim and the people who know her, and there’s no chance that the courts are going to let him off the hook for this one.
Indeed, under South Korean law, the creation, distribution, or possession of non-consensual AI-generated explicit content is classified as a sex crime. Legal experts have confirmed that the offense carries a mandatory prison sentence of up to seven years, unlike the charges he’s facing for disturbing the peace, which allow for financial penalties.
Legal Mindset explains:
“This is not simply an issue of digital mischief. This is a serious sexual offense, and South Korea’s courts will treat it as such. When deepfakes are weaponized to humiliate or defame, the legal system responds with severe consequences.”
In fact, Johnny Somali couldn’t have chosen a worse country to make an AI deepfake in. South Korea has already cemented its reputation as a global leader in combating digital sex crimes, and have criminalised not only creating deepfake p0rn, but also possessing or simply watching it. Creating an AI deepfake sex tape of yourself with a popular Korean streamer? You’re basically begging to be sent to prison.
Somali’s trial got underway on March 7, where he apparently ‘arrived inebriated, staggering through the halls of justice in a “Make America Great Again” hat.’ South Koreans were absolutely fuming about this, with ‘thousands calling for the harshest penalty possible’ in online forums.
His next hearing is on April 7, where even if Johnny Somali turns up with the sincerest apology of all time, you have to think he’s completely and utterly screwed. Which is maybe why he’s continuing to act like such a moronic and disrespectful troll, because the damage has been done and South Koreans will hate his guts no matter what he does from here on out.
Case in point:
Another great angle of Johnny Somali getting his ass handed to him. Finally 🤣👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/S4iPugvwV6
— B. Wilkins lll 🇺🇸 (@ScummyMummy511) October 31, 2024
If that’s how usually law-abiding South Koreans treat him in the streets, just imagine what’s waiting for Johnny Somali in prison? Not looking good for the guy.
For the full list of videos of South Korean citizens assaulting Johnny Somali, click HERE. He’s an absolute content machine – will give him that.
