Korean Variety Show Illegally Filmed in Bali... Hyoyeon and Yoon Bomi Detained

Entry on Tourist Visa and Filming Without Permission

Cast and crew members of a Korean entertainment program were temporarily detained for unauthorized filming at the famous Indonesian tourist destination Bali.

On the 28th, local media including Antara News reported that the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Bali investigated 31 Korean cast and crew members and one Indonesian celebrity for violating stay permits. The Korean cast members investigated included Girls' Generation member Hyoyeon, Apink member Bomi, broadcaster Choi Hee, and actress Lim Nayoung. Dita Karang, a member of the group Secret Number and an Indonesian citizen, was also investigated.

Girls' Generation member Hyoyeon (left) and Apink member Bomi [Image source=Hyoyeon, Bomi SNS]

The program in question is the reality entertainment show "Naemamdaero Package Season 2 - Pick Me Trip in Bali." The cast and crew came to Bali on the 21st to film tourist spots for the program. They entered Indonesia on tourist visas without obtaining official filming permits or visas and were caught by authorities while filming.

Ngurah Rai Immigration Director Suhendra explained, "Our immigration intelligence enforcement team received information about unauthorized filming and conducted a raid on the 25th," adding, "After investigating them, administrative measures such as fines were imposed."

Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, emphasized that while their filming promotes Bali, immigration regulations must be followed.

Photo by 'Naemamdaro Package Season 2 - Pick Me Trip in Bali' SNS

During this process, the cast and crew had their passports confiscated and were detained at a hotel. They were originally scheduled to depart on a flight on the night of the 25th and return on the morning of the 26th, but some cast members reportedly could not return on the planned date. Currently, all cast members have left Indonesia. The crew members will return home as soon as they secure their flight tickets.

KBS Joy, which was planning to air the program, stated, "The channel lineup has not been finalized," and distanced itself by saying, "We are not related to the production company that made this program."