Oriental Leaf Tea, a tea brand under Nongfu Spring, recently rolled out a new subway ad campaign—but instead of praise, it drew widespread criticism online. Many netizens questioned whether the brand had used AI to generate the entire ad.
The poster features a man and a woman in plain white T-shirts, smiling at the camera. While the ad likely aimed to evoke a sense of freshness and simplicity, viewers quickly noticed the uncanny, emotionless look of the models—characteristics of AI-generated faces. Critics called the visuals “creepy,” “unnatural,” and said the models looked like “human impostors.” Some defended the brand, arguing that using AI is in step with the times and helps cut advertising costs. “If the product is good, who cares?” one user commented.
The ad’s tagline—”You have no idea about my scent” (我的味道你不知道)—also sparked debate. Many felt it carried unnecessary sexual undertones. “With a man, a woman, and that line, it’s hard not to read it as something about ‘human scent.’ It’s unclear if the brand’s talking about romance or just the tea,” one user said. Others, however, felt the backlash was overblown and believed the message was simply comparing love to the refreshing experience of tea.
As one of China’s most recognized beverage brands, Nongfu Spring faces higher consumer expectations. That may explain the strong reactions. But missteps like this can chip away at brand trust and make loyal customers question the company’s direction.
