What is Kling O1? The First Unified AI Video Model

Kling O1 consolidates 18+ video tasks into a single AI model.

Kuaishou released Kling O1 on December 1, 2025, positioning it as the industry's first unified multimodal video creation tool. Instead of switching between generation, editing, and transformation apps, Kling O1 handles everything in one engine.

This matters because current AI video workflows are fragmented. Generate in one tool, edit in another, extend in a third. Kling O1 eliminates that friction.

What Kling O1 Actually Does

Kling O1 is a unified multimodal model. It accepts text, video, image, and subject inputs, then performs whatever task you describe in natural language.

Tasks Kling O1 handles:

• Reference-to-video generation
• Text-to-video generation
• Start and end frame generation
• Video content editing
• Object removal and insertion
• Style transformation
• Scene modification
• Camera extension

The key difference: you don't select tools or modes. You describe what you want, and Kling O1 interprets and executes.

Kling O1 Technical Specs

The 10-reference capability stands out. You can upload multiple images, tag them in prompts, and control characters, props, and scene elements independently. This provides director-level control unavailable in simpler models.

How Kling O1 Works

Natural Language Commands

Kling O1 accepts conversational editing instructions. Instead of learning complex software interfaces, you type what you want:

• "Remove the passersby in the background"
• "Transition from day to dusk"
• "Change the protagonist's outfit to a red dress"
• "Extend the camera movement to the left"

No manual masking. No keyframing. Kling O1 interprets intent and executes. The model handles technical implementation details automatically.

Multi-Reference Control

Kling O1's reference system enables precise creative control:

1. Upload up to 10 reference images
2. Tag each image with identifiers (e.g., "character_A", "product", "background")
3. Reference tags in your prompts
4. Kling O1 maintains visual consistency with each reference

This partially solves the character consistency problem that plagues AI video. You're providing visual anchors rather than relying on text descriptions alone.

Unified Task Switching

Traditional workflow:

1. Generate video in Tool A
2. Export to Tool B for editing
3. Import to Tool C for style transfer
4. Export and combine in Tool D

Kling O1 workflow:

1. Generate, edit, transform, and extend in Kling O1
2. Export final result

The efficiency gain compounds with project complexity. More editing requirements mean more time saved by avoiding tool switching.

Kling O1 Performance

Kuaishou published benchmark comparisons:

• Image-to-video: 247% win ratio against Veo 3.1 Fast
• Instruction-based editing: 230% win ratio against Runway's Aleph model

Vendor benchmarks warrant skepticism. But directional claims—that Kling O1 competes favorably with market leaders—align with early user testing. The model performs competitively on core tasks.

Best Use Cases for Kling O1

Kling O1 performs strongest when projects require multiple operations:

Complex Editing Projects

Projects involving generation plus multiple edit passes benefit most from Kling O1's unified approach:

• Generate base video from references
• Remove unwanted elements via text command
• Adjust lighting or time of day
• Extend camera movement
• Apply style modifications

Each step happens in the same model without export/import cycles.

Multi-Element Scenes

Kling O1's 10-reference system enables complex scene construction:

• Multiple characters from different reference images
• Products or props with specific visual requirements
• Backgrounds matching particular aesthetic references
• Consistent brand elements across variations

The tagging system keeps elements organized across complex prompts.

Iterative Development

Projects requiring extensive iteration benefit from Kling O1's instant task switching:

• Generate initial concept
• Refine via editing commands
• Explore variations with style transformation
• Extend successful elements

No workflow interruption between tasks means faster iteration cycles.

Kling O1 Limitations

Kling O1 has clear constraints:

Duration ceiling: 3-10 seconds per generation. Complex projects requiring longer continuous shots need external stitching.

Learning curve: Natural language editing requires learning what commands Kling O1 understands. Initial attempts may produce unexpected results until you calibrate expectations.

Complex multi-character scenes: Despite reference capabilities, highly complex scenes with multiple moving characters still challenge consistency.

Not specialized: Kling O1's unified approach means it doesn't optimize for any single task. Veo 3.1 produces more photorealistic output. Hailuo 2.3 handles motion better. Kling O1 is good at many things, exceptional at none.

Kling O1 vs Specialized Models

Kling O1 wins on workflow efficiency and editing flexibility. It trades peak performance in specific areas for breadth of capability.

Kling O1 vs Runway and Other Editors

Kling O1 competes directly with Runway Gen-4 and similar editing-focused platforms:

Advantages over Runway:

• Unified model (no mode switching)
• Natural language editing
• Multi-reference system
• Competitive generation quality

Runway advantages:

• More established workflow tools
• Broader integration ecosystem
• More extensive documentation

For users prioritizing simplicity and natural language interaction, Kling O1 offers a compelling alternative. For users with established Runway workflows, switching costs may outweigh benefits.

How to Use Kling O1 Effectively

Start with Clear References

Kling O1 performs best with strong visual anchors:

1. Prepare high-quality reference images
2. Use consistent lighting and style across references
3. Tag references with clear, memorable identifiers
4. Reference tags explicitly in prompts

Use Specific Edit Commands

Vague commands produce vague results. Be specific:

• Vague: "Make it look better"

• Specific: "Increase the contrast in shadows, warm the highlights slightly"

• Vague: "Change the background"

• Specific: "Replace background with sunset beach scene, maintain subject lighting"

Iterate in Sequence

Build complex results through sequential edits rather than compound commands:

1. Generate base video
2. Apply one edit
3. Evaluate result
4. Apply next edit

This approach makes it easier to identify which commands work and which need adjustment.

Key Takeaways

• Kling O1 is Kuaishou's unified multimodal video model, released December 1, 2025.
• Technical specs: 3-10 seconds, up to 2K @ 30fps, up to 10 reference images.
• Core capability: 18+ video tasks in one model—generation, editing, transformation, extension.
• Natural language editing: Describe changes conversationally, no manual masking or keyframing.
• Multi-reference control: Tag images and reference them in prompts for director-level control.
• Best for: Complex editing projects, multi-element scenes, iterative development workflows.
• Not for: Maximum photorealism (Veo 3.1 leads), best motion (Hailuo 2.3 leads).
• Trade-off: Breadth of capability over depth in any single task.