A new trend on TikTok is blending AI-generated pro-North Korean slideshows with ads for a viral anti-aging supplement. These bizarre, untagged ads are confusing viewers and raising questions about the ethics of AI-powered marketing on social media.
October 10, 2024
In a strange corner of viral TikTok, a new marketing strategy has emerged: AI-generated ads that combine pro-North Korean propaganda with promotions for an anti-aging supplement. This surreal mix of unrelated content has confused TikTok users, leaving many to wonder what’s really going on.
Several TikTok accounts are using slideshows that blend AI-generated imagery of North Korea with real images, all while delivering pro-North Korean messages. These slideshows claim that mainstream narratives about the country are wrong and that life in North Korea is better than what people might believe. At the end of each video, they advertise a viral anti-aging supplement by Reus Research—without any clear connection between the two.
Interestingly, the ads aren't tagged as sponsored content, and the AI-generated avatars presenting these ads only add to the confusion. These ads are designed to look like authentic content but are actually pushing the supplement, which went viral on TikTok Shop earlier this year.
TikTok’s algorithm is known for promoting quirky and out-of-the-box content, making it the perfect breeding ground for viral TikTok ads that use unusual tactics to grab attention. The blend of AI-generated imagery and controversial topics like North Korea makes these slideshows stand out—whether for their bizarre messaging or the sheer randomness of combining propaganda with an anti-aging product.
Comments on these videos highlight how confusing they are. TikTok users seem baffled, with remarks like, “These ad slideshows are going to be the death of me” and “This is the wildest ad I’ve seen”. Regardless of the confusion, the views continue to climb, with some of these TikToks amassing millions of views, proving the viral nature of such content.
What makes this trend particularly noteworthy is the use of AI-generated ads. The accounts behind these ads use AI-generated characters to narrate their bizarre stories about North Korea, presenting them as personal experiences or testimonials. The AI aspect allows for endless variations, each with a slightly different narrative or set of visuals, keeping the content fresh and continuously being pushed by TikTok’s algorithm.
AI-generated content has been on the rise, especially in viral TikTok marketing, where creators experiment with new ways to gain attention. The bizarre juxtaposition of political propaganda and product promotion shows just how experimental these AI-generated TikTok ads can be—and how unpredictable viral marketing has become.
The ethical issues surrounding these ads are complex. AI-generated ads that are not labelled as sponsored content can easily mislead viewers, especially when the content mixes sensitive topics like North Korean propaganda with commercial messaging. TikTok has removed some of these accounts after they gained significant attention, but similar content continues to surface.
This trend raises larger questions about the future of viral TikTok ads and how platforms like TikTok will handle the rise of AI-generated content that blurs the line between entertainment, disinformation, and marketing.
This campaign shows how AI-generated content is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in viral marketing. TikTok continues to be a platform where unexpected and quirky content can go viral, and this strategy, while bizarre, capitalises on that reality. As AI tools become more accessible, we can expect to see more AI-generated ads that defy convention and challenge how we think about marketing.
While this particular trend may be baffling, it’s a glimpse into the evolving world of viral TikTok marketing, where AI-generated content is becoming a dominant force in how brands (and sometimes questionable entities) reach their audiences.
