Disney+'s 'The Beholder' Faces Fine for Littering at Jeju Filming Site

The production team behind Disney+'s original series 'The Beholder' is facing a 1 million KRW fine for leaving behind trash at a natural forest location in Jeju Island after filming.

The Jeju City Aewol Town Office confirmed on the 17th that they are proceeding with the fine procedures for the corporation, citing violations of the Wastes Control Act. However, it was determined that no fire was started using the discarded gas canisters found at the scene. Furthermore, the prohibition of possessing flammable materials is only enforced during the designated fire prevention period, and therefore, possession alone was not sufficient grounds for a fine.

To prevent future occurrences, the Jeju City Parks and Green Spaces Division pledged to strengthen filming cooperation conditions for shoots in national forests and to conduct thorough checks of restoration efforts once filming concludes. They also emphasized an increase in inspections for illegal dumping in forests and enhanced fire prevention activities, along with issuing warnings to those involved.

The controversy erupted last month when a netizen posted a video on social media showing trash, including promotional coffee cup holders, left in a natural forest after a drama shoot. The footage shocked viewers, who quickly identified the drama as 'The Beholder' based on the cup holders.

In response, 'The Beholder' production team issued an apology, stating, "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by our failure to properly clean up the site after filming." They explained that "due to the late hour and darkness, the site cleanup was not meticulously done." They added, "Upon realizing the situation, we immediately collected all the trash, and the site has since been fully cleared."

'The Beholder' is set in 1935 Gyeongseong and tells the story of painter Yoon Yi-ho (Kim Seon-ho), who becomes captivated by the mysterious woman Song Jeong-hwa (Suzy) and delves into her secrets. Directed by Han Jae-rim, known for films like 'The Show Must Go On,' 'The Face Reader,' 'The King,' and 'Emergency Declaration,' the series is slated for release in 2026.

Actor Kim Seon-ho will be collaborating with actress Suzy in 'The Beholder'. He is expected to portray the character Yoon Yi-ho with depth through his unique acting skills. His foray into period dramas is particularly drawing significant attention from fans.