In response to the 'International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,' the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department recently launched an AI video titled Obsession: The Sugar-Coated Trap to promote anti-drug awareness. However, the video quickly drew criticism for personifying drugs as an idol girl group and loudly declaring slogans such as 'So good it reaches your soul.' Netizens accused the project of actually promoting drugs. In reaction, the Correctional Services Department pulled the video overnight and released a new version with the controversial content removed early the next morning.
The department explained that the original intention was to use a format popular among young people to illustrate the idea that drugs are 'poison disguised as a sugar-coated treat,' warning everyone not to be tempted. In the video, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and etomidate were personified as four girl group members. The AI idols were seen performing in a concert, singing catchy lines such as 'Guaranteed to make your soul soar,' 'One hit makes you forget all your worries,' saying 'super dope,' and asking 'Anyone wants to join us?' Although in the latter part of the video, the girl group suddenly transforms into haggard men suffering from drug abuse to show the harms of drugs, many netizens still believed the video was advocating drug use.
Source: ETtoday Star Cloud