The production company behind the Disney+ drama “Delusion,” starring Bae Suzy and Kim Seon Ho, has been fined for illegally dumping trash in a forest on Jeju Island. The company, Showbox, received a fine of 1 million won (approximately $750) from the Aewol-eup Office in Jeju City, following an investigation prompted by public complaints.
The fine was issued after Jeju City determined that the production company had violated Article 8 of the Wastes Control Act by illegally discarding household waste generated during their filming activities. While butane gas canisters were found among the debris, officials could not confirm that the crew had used fire, so they did not apply violations of the Forest Protection Act.
Jeju City’s response, shared via a public complaint portal, indicated that the government is taking this issue seriously. Although the specific site was not national forest land, the city stated it would strengthen its oversight of future filming projects. This includes imposing stricter conditions on filming permits within national forests and meticulously verifying that sites are fully restored to their original condition after filming concludes. The city also issued a formal warning to the production company and pledged to increase monitoring of forests to prevent illegal dumping and wildfires.
The controversy began when a netizen shared photos on social media of various types of trash — including plastic cups, food wrappers, and butane gas canisters — left in a forest. One of the discarded cup holders even had the face of a “Delusion” cast member on it, directly linking the debris to the production.
In response to the public outcry, Showbox issued an apology, acknowledging their failure to clean up the site. The company explained that the late hour and darkness after filming ended prevented a thorough cleanup. They stated that they had since returned to the location to clean up the trash and “sincerely apologized for any inconvenience caused.” They also promised to be more “thorough and cautious in the future.”
This incident highlights the growing public scrutiny of film and television productions, particularly concerning their environmental impact. It serves as a strong reminder for production companies to prioritize responsible and ethical practices, especially when filming in sensitive natural environments.
