In November 2025, a survey released by video editing platform Kapwing set the Korean online world ablaze. It revealed that Korea was the world’s largest consumer of low-quality AI-generated content, “AI slop.” Slop, once a term for livestock waste, has now become synonymous with the indiscriminate production of low-quality content by AI. A study of the top 100 YouTube channels by country found that Korean AI slop channels had accumulated approximately 8.45 billion views, roughly 1.6 times that of second-place Pakistan (5.34 billion).
What does this fact mean? Is it a testament to Korea’s technological prowess, or a warning signal that something is missing somewhere in our society?
This problem may be a complex intertwining of many issues facing Korea today, including an education system focused on college entrance exams, and the economic and ideological polarization created by politics. If so, let’s delve into each of these causes in more detail.
Education: The Cause of the Problem or Another Symptom?
Korean education has been criticized for focusing solely on the goal of college admission. The purpose of education, what education is, why we should learn, and how we should grow through learning, has faded away from public.
Students focus on achieving good grades—how to quickly and accurately select the “correct” answers hidden by the examiner. Most, if not all, students live in this dogmatic world, where they are not permitted to deviate from the path prescribed by someone else. The argument that this system, which prioritizes multiple-choice questions, entrance exam-oriented learning, and rote learning that disallows diverse thinking, is turning students into unthinking beings, seems persuasive.
As Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman explained in his book Thinking Fast and Slow, the human brain has evolved to operate in two distinct systems: the fast, intuitive System 1 and the slow, deliberate System 2.
The Korean education system seems to overtrain only System 1, focusing on finding answers quickly. Obviously this aspect contributes to the tendency of modern Korean society to fall prey to stereotypes and cognitive biases. Of course, many Korean students raised in the same educational system possess critical thinking skills. Therefore, the AI slop phenomenon cannot be explained solely by problems in the education system.
Perhaps we should ask: Is education the cause of AI slop consumption, or are both simply symptoms of a deeper-rooted issue in our society?
The Dilemma of Polarization: Which Comes First?
The polarization driven by politics in Korean society today is an undeniable reality. Rather than confronting inconvenient truths, people increasingly seek out information that reinforces their own beliefs and force others to accept it. AI slop thrives on this confirmation bias. Videos mocking those we hate and fake news that reinforces our beliefs are constantly fed to us through algorithms. The media and capital also join the political tide, fueling polarization.
But this is another chicken-and-egg question. Did politics polarize society, or did an already polarized society choose such politics? If so, is AI slop the cause of polarization, or is it simply another consequence of polarization?
One interesting fact is that while political polarization is worsening worldwide, Korea is uniquely characterized by a high rate of AI slop consumption. The United States, while deeply divided politically, did not rank high in this survey. This suggests that polarization alone is not a sufficient explanation for Korea’s AI slop craze.
The Algorithm Paradox: Who Makes the Choice?
The claim that YouTube’s algorithm manipulates us is no longer new. The algorithm analyzes our clicks, watch time, and likes to recommend content we might like. In the process, we become increasingly trapped in a prison of information. This is precisely the filter bubble or echo chamber phenomenon recently reported in the media.
Some ask back this situation:
“Doesn’t the description filter bubbles or echo chambers actually make us objects rather than subjects?”
But how credible can such claims be? Of course, the decision to click on videos recommended by algorithms is ultimately up to everyone. Machines can’t press the phone screen for us. Nevertheless, the reason global companies can invest so much in developing these seductive technics is probably because they have confidence in the results.
Questions that Revive the Function of thinking
As Daniel Kahneman argued above, our brains have evolved to make instinctive and sensory choices for survival. Perhaps the proliferation of AI slop is the result of overactivation of our brain’s System 1, which has been strengthened during this evolutionary process. Content that delivers instant gratification with a single click weakens our ability to think slowly and meticulously.
So, for a better future, a world where humans are once again the agents, we need to reactivate our ability to think slowly, that is, System 2. This is so that the fast and slow brains can collaborate to determine the optimal direction.
How can we do this? Asking questions. The moment we think of a question, our brains will stop their automatic, unconscious responses. The moment we ask, “Is this true?” our brains will shift from immediate acceptance to careful consideration. A simple question like, “Why is this video showing up in my feed?” can free us from the algorithm’s agenda.
From now on, before watching recommended videos, why not pause and ask yourself these questions?
- Did I truly choose this video?
- What is the source of the emotions I feel while watching it?
- Is the information in this video verifiable?
Changes Already Underway
The real problem facing us is not new, cutting-edge technology, but our attitude toward it. And solutions can only begin with accurately recognizing the problem. Fortunately, Korea is taking the first steps toward recognizing this problem. Some media outlets are launching fact-checking centers, and some YouTubers are beginning to clearly label their content as AI-generated. The need for media literacy education is also being discussed in education.
However, the most important factor is ultimately the awakening of everyone. Positive trends, such as digital detoxes, are being observed, particularly among the younger generation. Some are even seeing an increase in offline gatherings to seek out high-quality content.
We still have a choice. Instead of being tamed by algorithms, we can choose for ourselves, even if it means ineffectiveness and repeated failure. We can seek out inconvenient truths instead of comfortable, sweet lies. Considering the Korean people’s high level of technological adaptability and proactiveness, we have every chance of overcoming this challenge. The key is to maintain the confidence that we can do it and never stop questioning.
Now, when we need the courage to choose doubt over certainty, verification over acceptance, and discomfort over comfort, what choice will you make?
