H.O.T. Members Reveal 12-Hour US Immigration Detention

First-generation K-pop icons and H.O.T members Kangta and Moon HeeJoon have revealed a startling story from their past. On the October 27, 2025, episode of the YouTube talk show “Jjanhanhyeong Shin DongYeop”, the duo recounted being detained at US immigration for 12 hours back in early 1997 due to a series of hilarious yet serious language misunderstandings.

A Trip Down Memory Lane on a YouTube Talk Show

The surprising K-pop anecdote was shared during their appearance on the popular YouTube channel “Jjanhanhyeong Shin DongYeop”. The episode, titled “I Just Love You H.O.T. Full Group_ Releasing Infinite Rare Footage,” provided a platform for the veteran idols to share previously untold stories from the peak of their fame. The revelation offered fans a rare and candid look into the challenges the group faced during their early international activities.

The Misunderstanding at Los Angeles Immigration

Moon HeeJoon explained that the trouble began during their immigration screening in Los Angeles in early 1997. When an immigration officer asked for his profession, a confident but linguistically challenged Moon HeeJoon replied “singer” and proceeded to dance to prove his point. This unusual response immediately raised suspicion among the officials, setting the stage for a more intense questioning process.

From Bad to Worse: The Critical ‘Yes’

The situation escalated when the officer, now wary, continued with standard questions. This part of the US immigration story took a dramatic turn. Kangta recalled how Moon HeeJoon, attempting to be agreeable and overcome the language barrier with positivity, mistakenly answered “YES” to the critical question, “Do you have drugs?”. To compound the error, when asked if he intended to stay in the US for a long time, he enthusiastically replied, “Of course!”

How a Language Barrier Led to Detention for H.O.T Members

These affirmative answers to highly sensitive questions resulted in both H.O.T members being flagged as suspicious individuals. Kangta and Moon HeeJoon were promptly detained by authorities. They spent approximately 12 nerve-wracking hours in a detention facility, unable to communicate effectively to clear up the misunderstanding. The ordeal only ended when an official from the embassy was finally called in to clarify the situation, vouch for the K-pop stars, and explain the severe language barrier that caused the incident.

A Humorous K-Pop Anecdote with a Lesson

The story, while humorous in retrospect, highlights the significant challenges early K-pop groups faced during international promotions without adequate support. This classic K-pop anecdote serves as a testament to the pioneering spirit of groups like H.O.T and the cultural and language barriers they had to overcome to pave the way for future generations. Fans have reacted with a mix of amusement and sympathy, appreciating this candid glimpse into the legendary group’s history.

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