A store engaging in illegal activities related to Workdol has been publicly exposed, causing controversy.
On the 24th, a video titled "I'm a new police officer; am I going to Garibong-dong!?" was uploaded on the Workman channel.
That day, Workdol featured Billy Tsuki, who participated in a police experience in Garibong-dong. Appearing in a police uniform, Tsuki went on patrol with two current police officers, being affiliated with the Garibong-dong police station, which is also the backdrop of the movie 'Crime City.'
Upon arriving at Garibong Market, where many Chinese residents live, Tsuki asked, "Didn't you say everything was sorted out in 2023?" The police officer replied, "We focused on cracking down on unlicensed establishments and cleared a lot of them out." Tsuki was curious if any gangsters remained, and the police officer explained, "Because we patrol often, such organized groups don't exist, but when Chinese residents drink, they wield knives instead of fists."
Subsequently, Tsuki warmly greeted the market merchants, and the police officer conveyed a preconception, saying, "Isn't it better than you thought? There has always been a certain image associated with Garibong-dong. Many people come here during gangster movie shoots." Tsuki nodded, saying, "I thought it was more dangerous. It's really safe, and the people are warm."
Meanwhile, one resident responded to the warmly greeting Tsuki by asking, "Do you know me?" and then expressing hostility, saying, "If you stay here all day, fewer than 100 people pass through Garibong Market. The police have taken everyone away, so there are no Chinese people left. All the stores are empty."
Startled, Tsuki hurriedly left the scene, and the police officer explained, "Recently, as we apprehended illegal residents, it seems that this market, which is frequented by many Chinese people, has lost its main customer base, so they don't seem to like us much." Another merchant remarked, "While my mind is reassured, these days, I can't tell if they are police or people hunting for illegals, so it's making my mindset sensitive." Tsuki responded, "It's because they wander around like that. It's hard to distinguish whether they came to apprehend or to patrol," adding, "I thought about how I could enter without people thinking it's scary. You just have to open your eyes wide, smile, and make bunny ears."
Afterward, the three visited a mobile phone agency. Upon the entry of officers and the production team, the customers inside the agency were startled and hurriedly fled, and the police officers told the agency owner, "We'll learn a cute way to greet so we can occasionally come in like that," creating a warm atmosphere.
However, after the video was released, some netizens criticized it. Workdol is a web entertainment show depicting K-pop idols' attempts to work part-time. Critics pointed out that regardless of the content, it is careless to expose idols, who have not undergone professional training, to specialized tasks like police work, placing them in peril.
Particularly, below the sign of the agency featured in the video, there was a conspicuously large banner with the words "Illegal Passport Card Opening" and "Passport Activation," which drew attention. Criticism has arisen regarding the crew's negligence in allowing a store that brazenly displays illegal activities to be aired without intervention. Furthermore, some have pointed out the lax enforcement, asking, "How can they sell so openly if they aren't being cracked down on?" and expressed concern, saying, "Is there extraterritoriality?" or "Given that it's written so brazenly, do they really enter and greet?" and questioning why there has been no crackdown while idols are being subjected to experience police work in such dangerous areas.
Meanwhile, Workdol airs every Thursday at 7 p.m. on the Workman channel.
[Photo] Workman
[OSEN] Reporter