Jun Hyun-moo’s Kazakhstan “Impromptu Trip” Sparks Controversy; “I Live Alone” Production Team Officially Apologizes

[Financial News] The production team of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)’s “I Live Alone” apologized and provided further details regarding the advance preparations, local filming cooperation, and rental-car process related to Jun Hyun-moo’s controversial “impromptu trip” to Kazakhstan.
On the afternoon of the 4th, the production team of “I Live Alone” issued an official statement explaining the program’s use of the term “impromptu trip.” The team said, “Jun Hyun-moo’s Kazakhstan trip was produced by having the production staff follow along with the daily life of Jun Hyun-moo, who usually enjoys impromptu travel. The term ‘impromptu trip’ used in the broadcast referred to Jun Hyun-moo deciding on his destination and departing on the day of travel without choosing a destination or purchasing a plane ticket in advance.”
The team also said that it had conducted advance reviews in anticipation of the possibility of filming overseas. It explained, “For the broadcast, the production team reviewed flights and filming conditions in advance in preparation for the possibility of overseas filming. We examined various possibilities, focusing on nearby countries that could be reached within the limited time. After comprehensively considering destinations Jun Hyun-moo had shown interest in and the flight situation at the time, we determined that Kazakhstan was the most likely choice.”
The team explained that staff tickets and requests for local cooperation were measures taken in preparation for a trip to Kazakhstan. It added, “To respond immediately if Kazakhstan was selected, we purchased the staff’s plane tickets in advance and requested cooperation for local filming. If Jun Hyun-moo chose another destination that day or was unable to obtain a ticket to Kazakhstan, we planned to cancel the staff’s tickets and naturally include any unexpected situations arising in the process as part of the trip.”
The team further explained that Jun Hyun-moo’s ticket was purchased at the scene. According to the production team, Jun Hyun-moo checked which flights were available for departure at the airport that day and personally purchased a ticket to Kazakhstan.
The production team acknowledged that the wording used in the broadcast could have misled viewers. It stated, “In emphasizing the term ‘impromptu trip,’ we failed to sufficiently consider that viewers might understand the entire process of the trip and filming as having proceeded without any advance preparation.”
The team also supplemented its previous explanation regarding its relationship with the Almaty City Tourism Department. It said, “We received administrative assistance necessary for overseas filming and cooperation for filming operations on site from the Almaty City Tourism Department,” adding, “Our earlier statement that there had been ‘no support’ meant that there had been no financial sponsorship or production funding.”
The production team apologized, saying its explanation had been insufficient. It continued, “Because this wording could be understood to mean that there had been no administrative or filming cooperation whatsoever locally, we are providing this additional explanation. We apologize for causing confusion by failing to provide a sufficient explanation during this process.”
The team also revisited the process of renting the car. It explained, “Jun Hyun-moo personally reserved the vehicle at Incheon International Airport. After arriving locally, he submitted copies of his passport and international driver’s license as instructed by the rental-car company and received the vehicle.”
However, the team acknowledged that it had failed to adequately verify local regulations. It said, “After the broadcast, we learned of criticism regarding missing documents and confirmed the matter through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Kazakhstan. We belatedly became aware that notarization by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Korea is required to rent a vehicle in Kazakhstan. This was an oversight on the part of the production team, which failed to carefully verify local laws.”
The controversy arose over the episode that aired on August 14. In that episode, “I Live Alone” showed Jun Hyun-moo traveling to Almaty, Kazakhstan, during a 29-hour break. The process of Jun Hyun-moo choosing his destination at the airport, purchasing a ticket on site, and then arranging a rental car and accommodation was described as an “impromptu trip.”
After the broadcast, questions arose over whether overseas filming involving the production team could really be decided and carried out on the same day. Concerns were also raised about the documents and notarization procedures required to drive a vehicle in Kazakhstan.
The production team initially explained, “Regarding this trip to Kazakhstan, we did not receive any filming support or sponsorship.” It later revised the explanation, stating, “We did not receive any financial sponsorship or production funding, but we did receive cooperation with the administrative procedures necessary for local filming and with on-site filming operations.”

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter