Through the official website on the 31st, the production team denied, saying, "The Kazakhstan broadcast did not receive financial sponsorship or production cost support from the Almaty Tourism Department." However, they explained that there was administrative assistance from the local tourism department, stating, "The process proceeded smoothly with administrative procedures necessary for local filming and filming cooperation required for on-site progress."
Previously, through the broadcast, it was revealed that Jun Hyun-moo impulsively decided on his destination at Incheon International Airport, departed for Almaty, Kazakhstan, and drove a rental car locally. However, some raised issues regarding the notarization document procedures for local driving, sparking staging suspicions. In addition, controversy amplified as the city of Almaty stated through its official website that "filming proceeded with support from the tourism bureau."
In response, the production team released an official statement on the 25th, stating, "Jun Hyun-moo's trip to Kazakhstan is exactly as revealed on the broadcast," and added as a first statement, "We have not received filming support or sponsorships regarding the Kazakhstan trip."
Regarding the car rental, they continued, "Right before departing for Kazakhstan, we submitted the international driver's license and passport requested by the local rental car company at the airport and rented the vehicle," acknowledging that there were shortcomings in confirming administrative procedures by stating, "After the broadcast, as a result of checking with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan, we belatedly confirmed that a separate notarization procedure was necessary."
As the controversy continued even after this statement release, the production team reiterated that while they acknowledge the administrative and on-site filming cooperation from the Almaty Tourism Department, there was no financial sponsorship or production cost support.
[Photo=MBC]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)