The controversy arose when a video showing a man, presumed to be Korean, causing disturbances in a taxi in Jakarta, Indonesia, was shared online. On November 1st, a TikTok user, referred to as A, posted several dashcam videos depicting a Korean man creating a commotion inside a taxi. This incident reportedly took place near the ‘Antasari Flyover’ in South Jakarta on the evening of October 30th.
According to the video footage, the man, identified as B, was seen yelling and aggressively kicking the car’s interior amidst severe traffic congestion caused by heavy rain. He also struck the driver’s seat and was captured throwing his cell phone. When A turned on the car’s interior lights, B reacted harshly, shouting in Korean phrases like “Hey” and “Turn it off.”
At one point, B was also recorded flipping about in the back seat, hurling Korean profanity, and adopting a threatening demeanor towards the driver. He demanded in English to be let out, saying he urgently needed to urinate, and even grabbed a water bottle from A to relieve himself. Additionally, he shouted about being hungry.
This episode was entirely caught on the car’s dashcam and rapidly spread through social media. Local netizens reacted with comments such as “How can he act like this in someone else’s car? Isn’t he embarrassed?” and “This is truly frightening. The driver has great patience,” among other reactions.
The disturbances did not stop there. Two days later, on November 1st, the same man, in the same outfit, was captured on video causing violence at a Korean restaurant in Jakarta. The video on social media showed restaurant staff trying to restrain B.
According to accounts, B entered the restaurant, ordered food, and immediately started breaking dishes and bowls, attacking staff members who tried to intervene. He then proceeded to destroy kitchen appliances, including a rice cooker, and exhibited abnormal behavior, such as vomiting after eating. Security personnel and the Korean owner eventually subdued him.
Local media reported that the Indonesian police and the Korean embassy in Indonesia have not yet issued official statements regarding these incidents.