This study examines the sexualized editing of K-Pop idol photographs using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, particularly visual manipulation or deepfake technology. The development of AI has made digital image processing more accessible, but it has also created opportunities for the production of sexual content without the consent of the individuals depicted in the images. K-Pop idols are particularly vulnerable to such acts because their photographs and videos are widely available in digital spaces. Unauthorized sexualized photo editing can violate the victim's privacy, honor, dignity, self-image, and sense of security, and may constitute a form of technology-facilitated sexual violence. The issue addressed in this study is the absence of explicit provisions regulating sexual deepfakes or AI-based sexual image manipulation under Law No. 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Crimes. This situation raises questions regarding the perpetrator's legal liability and the extent to which the Sexual Violence Crimes Law is sufficient to address activities involving the creation, editing, storage, transmission, uploading, and distribution of synthetic sexual content without the victim's consent.

This study concludes that the Sexual Violence Crimes Law provides an initial legal basis for addressing non-physical sexual violence and technology-facilitated sexual violence. However, the law does not expressly regulate the creation and manipulation of synthetic content using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Therefore, strengthening or updating the Sexual Violence Crimes Law is necessary to more explicitly address the creation, editing, and distribution of AI-based synthetic sexual content, thereby providing greater legal certainty for law enforcement authorities and more effective protection for victims.