News broke out on April 28th as reported by Indonesian local news outlets like Antara News that a total of 31 South Korean individuals, comprising of celebrities and their production crew, along with an Indonesian star, faced inquiries by the Denpasar, Bali Immigration Office. The reason behind the investigation was a violation of immigration rules as they partook in unauthorized work activities.
The reality show at the center of the controversy was titled “My Way Package Season 2: Pick Me in Bali”. The South Korean celebrities involved were identified as Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, Apink’s Yoon Bomi, TV personality Choi Hee, and actress Im Na-young. Indonesian celebrity Dita Karang, a member of the girl group Secret Number, was also implicated.
The visiting team landed in Bali on April 21 with the intention to film content aimed at introducing the island as a tourist destination. However, they had allegedly entered the country on tourist visas without securing the necessary permits required to film professionally.
The entanglement came to light when Suhendra, the head of the Denpasar Immigration Office, announced, “After getting tipped off about the illegal film production, our immigration enforcement teams decided to conduct a check on April 25th. The groups involved were sanctioned with fines post the investigation.”
This issue led to the seizure of passports and a temporary detainment of the personnel in a local hotel, with some individuals having to delay their return flights.
Updates confirmed that the South Korean cast has since departed from Indonesia with their production team following suit upon securing their travel arrangements.
Highlighting the incident, Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, recognized the intent to showcase Bali but reiterated the need to respect immigration rules. He mentioned that obtaining filming permits and related visas should be a straightforward and quick process, provided the correct channels are followed.
Source: Wikitree
FAQs about the Detainment in Bali
Who were the celebrities detained in Bali?
Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, Apink’s Yoon Bomi, entertainer Choi Hee, and actress Im Na-young, along with Indonesian celebrity Dita Karang.
What were the reasons for their detainment?
They were detained for conducting filming activities in Bali without the necessary work permits and visas, as they only had tourist visas.
Has the cast faced any legal repercussions?
After an investigation, fines were imposed on the individuals involved as administrative actions.
Are all the cast members and production crew back in South Korea?
Yes, all cast members have returned, and the remaining production crew members are finalizing their travel arrangements to leave Indonesia.
Conclusion
The unexpected event involving the Korean celebrities in Bali serves as a stark reminder of the importance of complying with a country’s immigration and work regulations. Despite the inconvenience caused to the individuals involved, the situation was resolved with the aid of the Indonesian authorities, and serves as a learning experience for future international productions. It emphasizes the necessity of obtaining the proper documentation before engaging in activities that are beyond the scope of a tourist visa.