I Live Alone producers deny Kazakhstan trip was staged

The production team of the MBC variety show ‘I Live Alone’ has denied allegations that a recent episode featuring Jeon Hyun-moo’s spontaneous trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan, was staged or manipulated.

Controversy arose after viewers questioned the feasibility of an unplanned trip involving production staff. Doubts were further fueled by the Almaty city government’s official website, which stated the filming was organized with support from the Almaty Tourism Department. Additionally, viewers noted that renting a car in Kazakhstan typically requires a notarized translation of a driver’s license, a step that appeared bypassed in the broadcast.

In an official statement, the production team clarified that the trip unfolded exactly as shown. They explained that they relied on the local rental agency’s requirements and only discovered the necessity of additional notarization after consulting with the South Korean Embassy in Kazakhstan. The team also explicitly denied receiving any filming support or sponsorship from local authorities.

In response to the confusion, the South Korean Embassy in Kazakhstan issued guidance to travelers, noting that an international driving permit alone is insufficient and that a notarized Russian translation of the original license is required to drive legally in the country.