Earlier I shared the story of the K-Pop group which was supposedly detained at US immigration for 15 hours this past Wednesday, after landing from Seoul.
Their management firm claimed the 16-21 year old girls were mistaken for “working women” due to a language barrier, and were then sent back to Korea. Via LA Weekly, here’s what the confusion was over:
The management company said a misunderstanding took place after members of the typically large group of K-pop performers were asked what relationship they had to each other.
The answer of “sister” didn’t sit will with authorities, the firm stated. Federal officials thought the answer was strange because it was clear the women were not “blood related,” WM management said.
In Korean culture close friends often refer to each other as sister and brother.
On top of that, the performers had packed sexy outfits typical of their performances. Authorities paid “extra attention to the large quantity of items and outfits we had,” the firm stated.
The management firm added that they were sent back over “visa issues,” without providing more details. Well, we now have more information on what really happened, and it makes a lot more sense.
The reason the K-Pop group was sent back was because they only had tourist visas, when really they were coming to perform, which requires a different type of visa. Via the updated LA Weekly story:
The official who spoke to us said the only thing that set off alarms was the members’ lack of a necessary performance visa. He said that federal authorities determined the group was here to perform and thus needed that specific visa.
Our source said federal officials believed the members of Oh My Girl had been coached to say they had arrived stateside for purposes of tourism, which would not have required a performance visa.
Essentially, the official said, the women lied, and when feds discovered that they didn’t have a necessary visa, they were instructed to catch the first flight back to South Korea.
In fact, he said, the members were not held for 15 hours: They simply had to wait for their flight.
One could certainly argue this was all a publicity stunt, as this story has gotten a ton of attention, and this group wasn’t previously all that well known.
But I suppose there’s another possible explanation. Perhaps they were on a year end mileage run, and wanted to be rebooked on an earlier flight in full fare economy, in hopes of earning more miles. But if they were crediting to Korean Air SkyPass they should have known better than to call one another “sisters.” SkyPass is very strict about the definition of immediate family members, and doesn’t let you redeem miles for anyone else. They should have known better!
Anyway, this story makes a lot more sense now. They showed up with the wrong types of visas, and when that was discovered, they were sent back home on the next flight. It was a long travel day for them, I’m sure!
For some reason I'm thinking about The Runaways.
Immigration agen was probably very proud they solved a big problem that day...
I found the post incredibly humorous.
Unless, of course, Carsten Varming is even dryer than Lucky. Or me.
Yikes! I've been upstaged!
@Lucky: the humour was apparent, but quite dry. Some people don't do dry.
Ask a Monty Python fan what it's like when people don't get the humour. Nothing more depressing. Sigh, chacun a son gout...
I am the only reader that feels that this piece is a low punch in the face to a group of girls already hurt. Raising the problem with wrong visa types is fine, but there is no need to suggest that the girls were trying to exploit an airline.
@ Carsten Varming -- It was a joke... was that not apparent? ;)
They were not there to perform.
If they were booked to perform, they can EASILY get the work/business/performance visa.
They were NOT there to perform... show me the venue with them on the playlist!
Do US VWP countries nationals require a visa for a "promotional appearance"? For concert performances, it's needed, but the promoters had earlier said that they were just coming to the US for "promotional appearances" and not putting on a concert. True or not?
When German and American humor meet *shakes head* ;) :p
As a Travel Blogger, do you get a tourist visa or journalist/business visa?
"Allegedly lied" would seem to be a more accurate heading/claim even if you believe unnamed Officials always tell the truth!
Yea, saved from cute performers by the ever vigilant border guard. I'll bet if they were a bunch of guys, nobody would have noticed.
It reminds of the Denver Airport Video from Japan.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSoZzDWgrgo
This is so stupid! US allow terrorists to come in and reject performers who speak little English. Stupid!
@ Unhoeflich tourist visas... visa waiver.. same shit.. the point is they did not have visas to work/perform which was not problem.
My friend brings Asian musical groups from Thailand for many years and he experience that getting the proper visa is usually very difficult. Many performers overseas need to prove that they have a financial incentive and reason to return to the home country. US immigration has seen too many "performers" overstay their visa and not return home. If this K-pop group was truly not that well known then that would explain their management group probably...
My friend brings Asian musical groups from Thailand for many years and he experience that getting the proper visa is usually very difficult. Many performers overseas need to prove that they have a financial incentive and reason to return to the home country. US immigration has seen too many "performers" overstay their visa and not return home. If this K-pop group was truly not that well known then that would explain their management group probably booking the gig here in LA way before they were able to obtain the necessary visa.
This song was big when I was in Seoul last fall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PrNPhVexE4&autoplay=1
Point being the group itself is called "Sistar."
Why would they have tourist visas, as your post states? If management wanted to try and take a shortcut, South Koreans are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, if they meet the criteria. Since they were coming for work though, they would not meet the criteria.