KBS reality show cast and crew return to Korea after detainment in Bali
Cast and crew members from an upcoming KBS Joy reality show, including Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon and Apink’s Bomi, have returned to Korea after being detained in Indonesia for filming without an authorized permit, according to Indonesian news outlets on Monday.
A total of 32 members, including Hyoyeon, Bomi, television presenter Choi Hee, singer Lim Na-young and Dita Karang from girl group Secret Number, were stopped from leaving Bali on Thursday after being screened by the Bali Immigration Office.
The team, made up of all Korean nationals except for Indonesian Dita Karang, had been filming for the upcoming travel show “Korea Package Season 2: Pick Me Trip in Bali.”
According to Indonesian news agency Antara, two producers from the show failed to follow up on a request from the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul to revise the production's application for a filmmaking permit in Bali. This made their permit to film in Bali unauthorized by the Indonesian government.
The two producers were reportedly deported on Sunday by the Bali Immigration Office, and have been blacklisted from entry to Indonesia for violating immigration laws. Sixteen of the show’s cast and crew members returned to Korea on Friday, while 14 others returned on Saturday.
A fine of around 100 million won ($72,600) has reportedly been given to the production team, according to local news outlets.
"They have been proven to misuse their stay permit and failed to complete the film production permit for foreigners in Indonesia," Suhendra, head of Bali's Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, said on Sunday, as quoted by Antara.
"Korea Package Season 2: Pick Me Trip in Bali" is a reality travel show that allows its audience to choose the locations where the show will film. A broadcast date for the show has not been confirmed, according to KBS Joy.
BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]