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While American member Tyler is completing his master's degree at Seoul National University and is in Korea with a D-2 student visa, Zhang Yuan is a former Chinese anchorman who is in Korea with an E-2 visa for foreign language teachers. Both require an E-6 visa to participate on the television program 'Abnormal Summit' as these visas permit foreigners to work in the entertainment field.
JTBC reportedly knew about Tyler and Zhang Yuan's visa statuses, but hired them for the pilot anyway before the show became a regular program. JTBC claimed that they had sought the Ministry of Justice's approval soon after but when Tyler and Zhang Yuan were discovered to have visa violations, Tyler was fined 500,000 won (approx. $474 USD) and Zhang Yuan was spared.
The two members are allowed to continue appearing on the show without the E-6, but have limited endorsement activities. Zhang Yuan was reported to have promoted China's Tsingtao Beer at the Bitplex Mall recently. If he had been paid for this appearance, he would have been violating the ministry's order.
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