How Consumers Perceive and Emotionally Respond to AI-Generated Cover Songs: A Text Mining Study of YouTube Comments

This study empirically explores consumer perceptions of AI-generated cover songs by analyzing user comments on YouTube videos of AI covers of BIBI’s “Bamyanggaeng” and Taeyeon’s “To. X”. Text mining techniques, including word co-occurrence network analysis and topic modeling, were employed. The results revealed that both songs elicited predominantly positive emotional responses. Notably, “To. X” was characterized by fandom-driven playful consumption and emotional engagement, with expressions of gratitude toward the AI cover and consumer demand emerging as key topics. In contrast, while “Bamyanggaeng” also showed positive sentiment, user comments reflected concerns raised in news reports regarding copyright and publicity rights. This study empirically analyzes the structure of consumer attitudes toward AI cover songs and the underlying emotional responses. The findings suggest that the adoption of generative AI technology is not merely evaluated as a tool for creativity but is increasingly subject to standards of social legitimacy and emotion-based acceptance. These insights hold practical significance for future policymaking in the cultural content industry, the normative use of AI technologies, and the protection of consumer rights.