K-Pop Group Reportedly Stopped By Customs Officials

LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — A K-pop group is alleging that they were blocked from entering the U.S. after officials at Los Angeles International Airport stopped them for allegedly suspecting that they were sex workers.

According to a statement released by the group's management to the Los Angeles Times, “Oh My Girl,” an eight-member South Korean girl band, was held at LAX for more than 15 hours on Dec. 9th while being interrogated by officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The group's managent said in a statement that the group was scheduled to perform at an event and photo shoot in Los Angeles. The statement said that authorities appeared suspicious of the large amount of props and clothing and staff that the group was traveling with.

“As young women, they were mistaken as ‘working women’ which has recently been a big issue in the U.S.,” the company wrote in the Korean-language statement.

A representative from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection refused to comment on the WM Entertainment's statement, noting that they are legally prevented from disclosing information.

“Privacy Act prevents CBP from disclosing arrival/departure records of international travelers,” spokesman Jaime Ruiz wrote in an e-mail to the L.A. Times.

Law enforcement officials in California have been cracking down recently on “doumi” girls, Korean women brought to the United States to serve as companions at karaoke clubs. – Staff Writers