AI Singer Goes on Maternity Leave: Creators of Virtual K-pop Group Faked Her Pregnancy

The creators of the Chinese AI group BABYQUEEN announced that one of the five virtual members, Mity, is pregnant and going on maternity leave, but later admitted they simply removed the character from the group. This revelation came after the group's debut in July 2026 on the social media platform Xiaohongshu (Red).

The news sparked a mixed reaction from fans, with some finding it amusing and others feeling deceived. This incident highlights the challenges of creating relatable and human-like virtual characters in the context of social commerce, where authenticity and transparency are crucial for building trust with customers. The use of AI technology to create virtual influencers and entertainment groups raises questions about the boundaries between reality and fiction in the digital space.