Nu-metal pioneers Korn have recently found themselves at the center of online controversy surrounding their newest merchandise release. To celebrate their triple-platinum fourth studio album, Issues, the band launched a new “blind box” line of keychain dolls. Each of the four collectible plush figures is modeled directly after the iconic rag doll that appeared on the various album cover variants of the classic 1999 record.
While the challenge of collecting all four specific versions is a hurdle in itself, the primary backlash from the community stems from the promotional images used to sell the items. Fans quickly raised concerns after noticing that the product mockups for the doll boxes, which are currently hosted on the band’s official webstore, appear to utilize artificial intelligence.
Taking to platforms like Reddit, eagle-eyed supporters of the group criticized the digital mockups, pointing out telltale signs of AI-generated imagery, such as misspelled words and visually garbled text printed on the packaging. Although these digital rendering errors are highly unlikely to be printed on the actual physical boxes for the plush keychains, the decision to use the technology for promotional artwork has struck a nerve. The integration of artificial intelligence within the music and art spheres remains a highly sensitive and polarizing topic for many fans.
Those interested in viewing the keychain dolls, alongside the allegedly AI-assisted box mockups, can find the collection at store.kornofficial.com.
Korn 2026 European Tour Dates:
- Oct 18 – Stuttgart, DE @ Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
- Oct 19 – Munich, DE @ Olympiahalle
- Oct 21 – Cologne, DE @ Lanxess Arena
- Oct 23 – Paris, FR @ Accor Arena
- Oct 26 – Leeds, UK @ First Direct Arena
- Oct 28 – Birmingham, UK @ Utilita Arena Birmingham
- Oct 30 – Newcastle, UK @ Utilita Arena Newcastle
- Oct 31 – Manchester, UK @ AO Arena
- Nov 02 – Dublin, IE @ 3Arena
- Nov 04 – London, UK @ The O2
- Nov 08 – Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome
- Nov 09 – Antwerp, BE @ AFAS Dome
- Nov 11 – Hamburg, DE @ Barclays Arena
- Nov 13 – Hanover, DE @ ZAG Arena
- Nov 14 – Berlin, DE @ Uber Arena
- Nov 16 – Prague, CZ @ O2 Arena Prague
- Nov 17 – Krakow, PL @ Tauron Arena
- Nov 19 – Vienna, AT @ Wiener Stadthalle
- Nov 21 – Milan, IT @ Unipol Forum
