"I Live Alone" Jun Hyun-moo's impromptu trip sparked sponsorship controversy, and it has been confirmed that the trip was supported by Almaty city in Kazakhstan.
On the 21st, Almaty city introduced on its website that "Almaty was first introduced to Korean viewers through a popular entertainment program" and introduced I Live Alone, which featured Jun Hyun-moo's impromptu trip.
Almaty said, "The Kazakhstan travel episode filmed with the cooperation of the Almaty Tourism Board was broadcast on Aug. 14, 2026." Accordingly, it can be confirmed that Jun Hyun-moo's trip was not impromptu but had the support of the tourism board.
Almaty said, "This week's protagonist is the famous host Jun Hyun-moo, who visited Almaty International Airport, the Green Bazaar, Kolsai Lake and others. Through this, it showed various aspects such as Almaty's cityscape, food, local culture and natural scenery," and explained, "I Live Alone is a popular Korean entertainment program and Jun Hyun-moo has more than 800,000 followers. After the broadcast, the video recorded high view counts and received positive evaluations about Almaty."
The controversy arose when Jun Hyun-moo's impromptu trip was depicted on MBC I Live Alone broadcasts on Aug. 14 and Aug. 21.
To make the most of a one-night, two-day break amid a busy schedule, Jun Hyun-moo headed to the airport on impulse and, in front of the departures board showing flight numbers, asked, "Where should I go?" and chose a destination on the spot. After finding a flight that fit the short two-day, one-night schedule and the condition that he had never been to the destination, he decided on Almaty, Kazakhstan, which takes seven hours by plane.
After buying a plane ticket on the spot and booking accommodations and a rental car, Jun Hyun-moo, who drove himself, enjoyed free travel including the traditional market the "Green Bazaar," Kok-Tobe where he could enjoy Almaty's night view and amusement rides, and a lamb restaurant recommended by Ku Sung-hwan and Lee Ju-seung.
However, after the broadcast, some viewers raised suspicions that it would be nearly impossible for staff to accompany him, choose a destination on the spot and secure tickets, and that the process of renting a car and so on was portrayed differently from reality, suggesting there was a script or sponsorship.
Although it was portrayed as an impromptu trip on the program, once it was confirmed that the Almaty Tourism Board supported it, I Live Alone could not avoid allegations that it deceived viewers. Meanwhile, the I Live Alone side has remained silent without taking any notable position.
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