The 'Pinocchio' star has returned to South Korea after his and his team's passports were confiscated due to promoter yes24's issue with the Indonesian authorities.
- November 6, 2018
AceShowbiz - Lee Jong Suk's label A-Man Project has released a statement regarding the actor's detainment in Jakarta, Indonesia. Giving an update on the star's whereabout, the agency said on Instagram on November 6 that Lee Jong Suk has finally been able to board a flight to South Korea.
"We caused concern to a lot of people because actor Lee Jong Suk's departure was delayed immediately after the Indonesian fan meeting due to the agencies and local promoter yes24's way of handling business. This was our first time experiencing something like this, so we were very startled," the statement read. "Instead of thinking about himself, the actor was very concerned that this may affect his drama's filming schedule. Fortunately, he was able to depart thanks to the help of the Indonesian embassy and he is currently on a flight on his way home."
Expressing frustration regarding the issue, the agency stated, "We're currently continuing to look into the cause of this incident, but the agencies and yes24's explanations keep changing. First, we heard that the local representative of yes24 took the actor and staff's passports without any reason and disappeared. A few hours later, the local representative was detained by Indonesian tax authorities because they did not pay taxes."
"Their explanation changed and they said that the passports of the actor and staff in the local representative's possession were taken away during this process. A couple of hours later, a local media outlet also reported that yes24 had not applied for a short-term work permit and that a visa issue also occurred because of this," it continued. "Each and every single thing is so unbelievable that we don't know what other explanations and excuses they'll come up with next."
The agency is now planning to take legal action against the agencies and local promoter which held the fan meeting in Indonesia. "We will only embrace the love and support shown by the local fans," the agency said.
The company also apologized to the production crew of Lee Jong Suk's new drama series "Death Song" and to the public for causing concern. "We, the agency and [Lee Jong Suk] will repay the interest and love all of you have shown the actor through more sincere promotions," it promised.
Previously, Lee Jong Suk took to his Instagram account to address the matter. "yes24, the (fan meeting) promoter, reported lower profits than the actual amount they made to the local tax authorities. Me and my staff members passports have been taken away even though we have absolutely no relation," he wrote in a now-deleted post.
He was detained in an airport in Jakarta after attending a fan meeting on November 3. Indonesian authorities explained that the "While You Were Sleeping" star came with visa on arrival and had not applied for a short-term work permit. He visited an immigration office on Monday night, November 5 for questioning and departed on a Korean Airlines flight at around 8 or 9 P.M. local time.
