Screenshot from a Pelicana chicken franchise advertisement video

The chicken franchise Pelicana apologized after causing an uproar over an AI-produced online advertisement video that evoked an extramarital affair. The problematic video has been deleted from its official account.

On the 9th, Pelicana stated on social media, “We sincerely apologize for the discomfort and disappointment caused by the recently uploaded content,” and added, “The content was posted without sufficient consideration for the appropriateness of its expressions and for social awareness during production, which caused displeasure and concern for many people.”

The company also added, “The problematic post has been deleted,” and “We are taking this matter seriously.”

The AI-produced advertisement, which was recently released and then drew controversy, features a premise in which a seasoned-chicken baby is born to a couple of fried-chicken parents.

At an obstetrics and gynecology clinic, the husband initially smiles with happiness upon seeing the baby for the first time, but after realizing the baby is seasoned chicken, he shouts at his wife, ‘It was that guy back then!’ Meanwhile, a female pelican doctor character watching the scene blushes, saying, ‘That guardian guy is subtly sexy when he gets angry.’

It then shows her approaching the husband character, who is drinking alone at a bar, and seducing him while dancing, and the video ends as the husband character shows a wavering response as well.

After the video was released, there was an outpouring of discomfort and criticism on online communities and mobile social media over its lighthearted treatment of infidelity.