A recent episode of 'WORKDOL', a sub-content series under the popular YouTube channel 'WORKMAN', has come under scrutiny for featuring a telecommunications store sign allegedly advertising illegal passport-based phone registrations. The segment has since been removed from the video.
On July 24th KST, WORKDOL aired an episode titled “I’m a rookie cop, and I’m heading to Garibong-dong!?” featuring Tsuki from Billlie acting as a one-day police officer. She joined real officers on patrol through Garibong Market, where a sign in front of a mobile carrier store caught viewers’ attention. Written in Chinese, the phrase “非法照” (translated as illegal passport) sparked concern over possible unlawful activity.
By July 28th KST, four days after the video’s release, the 'WORKDOL' production team issued a statement:
“The segment involving a specific store that was flagged by viewers has been forwarded to the local police, and the corresponding portion has been edited out.”
In the now-deleted scene, the sign appeared to suggest that the store was assisting customers in registering mobile phones using illegal passports. Viewers speculated that the business was catering to undocumented immigrants and facilitating illegal phone activations. As suspicions grew, many questioned how such activity could be advertised openly via storefront signage.
When officers entered the store, several customers quickly fled the premises, and the shop owner looked visibly flustered. The production team had added a caption that read, “Give me back my customers”—a moment that has since been removed from the video.
The episode also included footage of market vendors in Garibong expressing frustration toward law enforcement. One shop owner loudly told Tsuki and the accompanying officers:
“Try staying here all day. Fewer than 100 people even come to Garibong Market now. The police have taken away all the Chinese people. Every store here is empty. The country is ruined.”
In response, one police officer explained:
“We recently arrested some undocumented immigrants. Since this market is frequently used by Chinese nationals, the local merchants are upset because many of their regular customers are now gone.”
The incident has stirred discussion about the visibility of illegal operations, the portrayal of vulnerable communities in public content, and the editorial responsibilities of high-profile media channels.
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