Korean Singer Kim Tae-won Faces U.S. Visa Challenges: Not Due to Marijuana Conviction

Korean singer Kim Tae-won, known for his role in 'Joseon's Love', is facing difficulties in obtaining a U.S. visa, not due to his past marijuana conviction, but possibly due to his demeanor during the interview process.

On the October 17th episode of TV Chosun's 'Joseon's Love', Kim Tae-won was seen exploring ways to attend his daughter's wedding in the United States.

During a video call with his daughter and future son-in-law, Kim shared the happy news that he had received approval from his wife to hold the wedding in Korea. However, the joy was short-lived as his daughter, Seohyun, informed him that her fiancé Devin's mother had suffered a stroke and would be unable to travel to Korea.

Kim Tae-won, who has a past conviction for marijuana use, had previously been denied a U.S. visa. He expressed his frustration, saying, "I don't understand why they are making it so difficult for me to attend my daughter's wedding in the U.S. It's really hard on me."

Seeking legal advice, Kim consulted with a lawyer about his visa issues. He explained, "I applied for a performance visa last March and was denied. Recently, my ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) application was also rejected." He inquired whether his past marijuana convictions from 1987 and 1991 were affecting his visa applications.

The production team suggested applying for the ESTA again, and with the help of a U.S.-based producer, Kim answered the online application questions honestly, admitting to past drug-related offenses and previous visa denials.

Lawyers advised that having a record of visa denial would automatically disqualify him from ESTA approval, but commended him for his honesty. Kim humorously remarked, "I can't lie; it's all over the newspapers."

An expert reviewed Kim's previous visa application and noted that while his past convictions were mentioned, they were not the primary reason for denial. Instead, the expert speculated that Kim's demeanor during the interview might have been the issue. Kim recalled, "I was battling hepatic encephalopathy at the time, which severely affected my memory. I couldn't remember my responses." He added that he was not allowed to refer to notes during the interview, which might have been perceived as insincere.

The expert emphasized the importance of sincerity in the interview process. Kim, who has since fully recovered from his health issues, is now preparing for a tourist visa application, equipped with anticipated questions and answers.

Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr