SBS variety show 'Master in the House' has been involved in a legal case in California.
Last August 3, the residents claimed they suffered damage from SBS. The cast also committed fraud, they trespassed, damage some properties, violated traffic laws, and even obstructed general traffic. Residents filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against the SBS show 'Master in the House.'
The production took the filming at Tustin's park, road, and other facilities, which according to the region's regulations, the community facilities cannot be used for commercial purposes or other non-residential purposes. The government also did not permit the production team to film in that area.
The team was also recording in an area where a commercial shooting was banned, and residents claimed they trespassed a private place. As seen in their broadcast, they also shot in a pool, which was also a private property, where only members of the community can enter. Despite that warning signs, the cast of the film swam and played games in the pool.
In charge of defending the U.S. residents, Attorney Lee Ji Young commented that the most important for the Americans is their privacy. Violations and regulations could result in punishment or a lawsuit.
Furthermore, the residents claimed that the production team continued to film even they knew it was illegal. They also did not give SBS permission to film, and police even came to warn them for suspicious activity. Still, the crew disguised themselves as tourists and lied to the residents and police by saying they are having a party.
After all the debate between two states, the residents made two requests. One is to prohibit Korean broadcasters from filming in foreign countries illegally. The second is for SBS to apologize and reflect on their illegal actions.
Some predict that the damage they have done in compensation to the actual damages for illegal acts intentionally or in malice would roughly cost about 10 billion won or approximately 8.4 million dollars.
The legal battle between the U.S. residents and the SBS production is still to be determined by the future status of foreign filming and broadcasting.
