Indian YouTuber Sachin Awasthi has claimed that a planned holiday to South Korea turned into a prolonged and distressing ordeal after he was allegedly stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival at Jeju Island.

In a social media post detailing the incident, Awasthi said he and his companions landed in high spirits, only to be informed within hours that they would not be permitted to enter the country. According to him, officials escorted them to a restricted holding area without providing a clear reason for the decision, instructing them simply to wait.

He alleged that the waiting period stretched on for hours with little communication. In his account, he described being kept in a confined space resembling a detention facility, cut off from daylight and external contact. He further claimed that the meals provided were basic and prison-like in nature.

Awasthi also accused authorities of pressuring them into purchasing return tickets at sharply inflated prices. By his estimate, the airfare back to India cost nearly ten times the usual rate. Exhausted and eager to leave, he said they felt compelled to comply.

The situation, he added, did not ease during their transit through China. He alleged continued supervision, restricted phone access, limited food and water, and poor resting arrangements. He further claimed that even restroom visits were monitored by an officer equipped with a body camera.

Eventually, Awasthi said they were informed they would be deported to India. By then, he noted, fatigue and stress had taken a toll. While acknowledging that immigration authorities have the right to determine entry, he maintained that the manner in which they were treated felt unjust and excessive.

Following the episode, Awasthi uploaded a detailed video on his YouTube channel explaining the sequence of events and offering advice to travellers planning similar trips.

His claims prompted strong reactions online, with many Instagram users expressing sympathy and shock over the alleged treatment, while others debated the complexities of international immigration rules.