A recent incident involving Japanese rookie girl group CUTIE STREET has drawn widespread criticism after the members were allegedly denied a taxi ride during their visit to South Korea.
The situation was revealed in the May 4 broadcast Crime bosswho shared footage of the group’s experience filming content in Seoul.
According to the report, the members were attempting to travel from Euljiro to Seongsu-dong when a taxi stopped in front of them. However, after asking their destination and hearing “Seongsu”, the driver allegedly left without explanation.
The members then recalled: “The driver waved as if to say ‘bye’ and left.”
The clip quickly went viral, drawing criticism from both Korean netizens and international viewers.
Many speculated that the short distance between Euljiro and Seongsu-dong may have been the reason for the refusal, while others pointed to a larger problem with taxi services:
- Maybe because the distance was too short?
- This is a typical case of selective taxi service.
- A driver’s actions can damage the country’s image.
Some went further, expressing concern that such incidents could have a negative impact on foreign visitors’ perceptions of South Korea.
The controversy has reignited discussions about taxi refusal in Korea, particularly its effects on international travellers.
Reports analyzing global online communities suggest that about 11% of visitors to Korea experienced inconvenience during their trip, higher than the 7% in neighboring Japan. Among these complaints, transportation issues, such as taxi refusals, were cited as a major source of dissatisfaction.
Experts warn that as global interest in K-content continues to grow, such experiences could directly influence tourists’ willingness to revisit the country.
Although the members of CUTIE STREET continued filming despite the embarrassing situation, the incident left many viewers uncomfortable.
As South Korea approaches the era of 20 million annual tourists, the need for better transportation services and a more consistent customer experience has become increasingly urgent.
Sources: TV Report, JTBC
