Indian influencer claims he and his wife were detained by immigration in South Korea and China in viral video

Sachin Awasthi, an Indian content creator says he was detained by immigration authorities in both South Korea and China while traveling with his wife.

Posting on Instagram, Awasthi described being detained for 38 hours on Jeju Island in South Korea. He said the couple was denied entry and taken to a holding area without any clear explanation.




“No proper explanation just told to wait. And we waited,” he wrote.

He added that the detention centre was like a jail with no sunlight or access to the outside, and they were given jail food. Awasthi claimed authorities pressured them into booking an expensive return ticket.

He said the ordeal continued during transit through China, with restricted communication, limited food and water, and monitored use of restrooms. “By the time we were told we would be sent back, we were mentally drained. The return ticket cost almost 10× the normal price,” he said.

Awasthi clarified that he was not sharing the story for sympathy or drama. “Immigration decisions are their authority. But they did not have any right to treat us like criminals,” he wrote. He added that travel, which looks glamorous online, can test people emotionally in unexpected ways.

He also shared that he has posted a full detailed story on his YouTube channel, explaining what happened, why it happened, and advice for travelers.

Social media reactions:

• Weak passport has got nothing to do with this. It’s how terribly the immigration and airlines of Jeju and China treated them. The entire video is heart-wrenching.
• Whoever hasn't watched the video, Please do. It's so harrowing. You don't get the entire intensity and seriousness of it from this photo.
• I am glad you guys are safe. This is a deeply rooted issue and needs to talked about. Ty for sharing.
• Oh God! This is scary. I fail to understand the reason behind this.
• Well that's not new, lot of travelers are facing these things now a days.