Is the Kazakh government lying? 'I Live Alone' Jeon Hyun-moo gives a strong "like" to unedited footage [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Did the Kazakh government make false announcements? The production team of MBC's 'I Live Alone' and broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo directly confronted allegations that their "spontaneous trip" to Almaty, Kazakhstan, was staged.

Previously, the production team of 'I Live Alone' (hereinafter referred to as 'I Live Alone') aired a two-part episode titled "Jeon Hyun-moo's Impulsive Overseas Travel Challenge" on the 14th and 21st. The episode featured MC Jeon Hyun-moo visiting an airport without prior planning, spontaneously choosing Kazakhstan's Almaty as his destination, and enjoying only a 29-hour trip there.

On the broadcast, not only was the travel destination selected on the spot, but also flight ticket purchases and car rentals were all arranged immediately. However, the difficult process of using local rental cars in Kazakhstan appeared surprisingly smooth, raising suspicions among netizens: "Was this pre-arranged?" The controversy intensified when the Kazakh government officially announced that "the Almaty Tourism Bureau provided support for Jeon Hyun-moo's trip," fueling accusations of fabrication.

On the 21st (local time), the Kazakh government stated on its official website: "Almaty appeared in the latest episode of MBC, a popular Korean public broadcasting program 'I Live Alone.'" It further promoted that the episode was produced with support from the Almati City Tourism Bureau and the 'Almaty Tourism Bureau' (responsible for tourism, promotion, and marketing in Almaty). The government also highlighted that this episode about traveling in Kazakhstan aired on August 14 (Korean time). The production team of 'I Live Alone' also released photos confirming Jeon Hyun-moo's filming.

Additionally, the Kazakh side emphasized the promotional impact: "Jeon Hyun-moo, the main protagonist of the broadcast and a famous Korean entertainer, personally experienced Almaty's major attractions and cultural charms, vividly conveying them to viewers across Korea." This content was also published in Akzhol, a leading daily newspaper in Kazakhstan.

As suspicions grew, the production team of 'I Live Alone' issued an official statement on the 25th: "We confirm that no filming support or sponsorship was received regarding this trip to Kazakhstan."

Regarding questions about car rentals, they explained: "Jeon Hyun-moo's trip to Kazakhstan followed exactly what was shown on the broadcast. He departed for Kazakhstan and rented a vehicle from a local rental company at the airport just before departure, submitting the required international driving permit and passport as demanded by the company." However, the production team added: "After the broadcast aired, we received inquiries about how to use local rental cars. Upon confirming with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan, we learned late that additional notarization procedures were necessary. The embassy informed us that many citizens have suffered losses due to such issues and promised to take measures to prevent future harm to Koreans visiting the country."

Jeon Hyun-moo also expressed his innocence by liking a post clarifying the allegations of a staged spontaneous trip. On the 25th, A, a close friend and representative of the foreign language academy where Jeon Hyun-moo teaches, posted unedited behind-the-scenes footage of 'I Live Alone's' spontaneous trip on SNS. Since A accompanied Jeon Hyun-moo on this trip, he left a clarification post on behalf of Jeon Hyun-moo, who found himself at the center of the controversy.

A wrote: "The beginning of 'Jeon Hyun-moo's Determination!' These are the actual videos that served as the motif for the Kazakhstan episode of 'I Live Alone.' Going to the airport and approaching the airline desk to find a ticket matching the schedule (cannot be done in the car; must be done at the airport for thrill; if it fails, so be it). However, the desk said no. Just about to give up, but we started searching for tickets online while eating at the airport. Found a perfect travel destination on an airline booking site. Fortunately, no luggage. In fact, there were no two seats available together, so we boarded different flights departing at different times. Arrived one hour earlier after a four-hour flight! Brother (Jeon Hyun-moo) arrived one hour later. Ate dinner in the field next to the hotel, slept for four hours, then immediately started exploring. Returned to Korea 24 hours later." He provided detailed accounts of what happened at the time.

The released video also fully captured Jeon Hyun-moo and his team rushing around the airport to secure flight tickets on-site. While looking at a digital board displaying departure times and flight numbers, Jeon Hyun-moo asked, "Where should we go now?" and received the reply: "It's 2 o'clock now. We need to catch a flight after 3."

Additionally, scenes were captured where Jeon Hyun-moo personally visited an airline counter to inquire with staff. With his finger in his mouth and looking anxious, he asked, "Since it's 2 o'clock now, what is the earliest flight I can take?" and "Anywhere that allows me to return by Monday at 3 o'clock." Soon after, he was told, "All flights are fully booked," to which Jeon Hyun-moo responded, "Are all today's flights fully booked? Understood," before turning away. According to the video, it was ultimately emphasized that Jeon Hyun-moo secured flight tickets using a smartphone app, reinforcing the stance that the allegations of fabrication were baseless.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original