Epik's viral AI yearbook feature takes you back to the '90s

You must have seen it on Instagram and TikTok – a flood of American high school yearbook images that look like they came out of the 1990s. Social media users have jumped on the latest trend, an ‘AI Yearbook’ feature that you can find on the Epik – AI Photo Editor app. 

The Epik app from the South Korean company Snow Corporation is by no means new. Still, one of its many AI filters took off in recent weeks when celebrities and influencers started sharing retro-styled photos of themselves. Give it a quick search and you’ll see celebrities like South Korean TV host Yoo Jaesuk, American actress and singer Keke Palmer, American DJ Steve Aoki, and local musician Jean Seizure in 90s outfits, hairstyles, and backgrounds. 

The app has topped app stores in 56 countries and regions worldwide, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. It hasn’t quite taken off in Singapore though, and there are lingering data privacy concerns – though Snow Corporation has said in a press release that images are deleted from the server once the yearbook photos are generated. 

If you’re not deterred from having some throwback fun, then here’s how you can get the ’90s yearbook look for yourself. 

How do I create AI yearbook pictures with the Epik app? 

1. Download the Epik – AI Photo Editor app from the App Store or Google Play store – it’s free!
2. Navigate to the ‘AI Yearbook’ feature on the homepage. 
3. Upload eight to 12 photos of yourself. These should be well-lit, in focus, without any editing or photoshop applied. For best results, choose a variety of angles, backgrounds and expressions too. If you’re not sure, don’t worry – the app will tell you if a photo is not suitable. 
4. Next, you can select your gender. Don’t limit yourself – choose ‘male’ if you’re female and vice versa just to see an alternate you. 
5. Here’s the catch – you have to make a one-off payment to get your images. There’s a standard option ($5.98, originally $8.98) that generates 60 images within 24 hours. The express option ($8.98, originally $14.98) gets you 60 images in just 2 hours.  
6. Sit tight for your AI Yearbook photos. Keep them for yourself or share them around on social media as you wish. 

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