Taiwan influencer scammed and threatened at Seoul cosmetics store

2026-11-11

A Taiwanese beauty influencer who goes by the social media name of Wang Hsun recently had a terrifying experience at a cosmetics store in Meyeong-dong District, which is Seoul’s premier business district. First he got hit with a massive NT$20,000 bill, then when he tried to get a refund, five or six people that included burly men surrounded him and pressured him to go into a small room at the back of the shop to talk it over in a way he found scary. While in the end he was able to get a refund, he was still coerced into spending over NT$3,000 on stuff he didn’t want. And after he complained to the Korean tourism authorities and made a video about his experiences, the store’s legal team threatened him and hackers tried to get inside his social media accounts. Let’s find out more.

Taiwanese beauty influencer Wang Hsun was happily shopping in Meyeong-dong district in Seoul, South Korea, intending to buy some beauty and skincare products. However, he never imagined that stepping into a store would be the start of a nightmare.

Wang Hsun
Taiwan tourist in Korea
As soon as I stepped out of the store, I checked my credit card record. It showed NT$20,000. I wanted to return the products, but they were incredibly scary. Suddenly, five or six people, including some burly men, surrounded me and said: “Why do you want a refund? Let’s go inside and talk.”They kept trying to lead me into a small room.

Although he eventually got a refund, Wang was forced to spend over NT$3,000 on unnecessary skincare products before he could leave. Afterwards, he complained to VisitKorea and even made a video of his experience back in Taiwan to warn other Taiwanese tourists. Unexpectedly, he received a threatening message.

Wang Hsun
Taiwan tourist in Korea
The message basically said that they wanted me to take down the video, and that their company had a legal team that could prevent me from posting it. Many, many people said they encountered the same situation in the comments section of my video. Later, I actually received more than a dozen notifications that hackers were trying to enter my accounts, which has kept me up at night for the past few days.

If you’re just traveling abroad and don’t know anyone, what should you do to protect yourself if you encounter aggressive sales tactics?

943
Travel writer
You should search for reviews online, or look out for Taiwanese people using coded terms to warn that a particular employee at a store might ring up extra items. After you pay, don’t just leave—double check your receipt against the items you actually received.

Wang originally went to Korea to buy beauty products, but instead of coming home with cosmetics, he left with a bellyful of infuriation.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#scaryshopping #Seoulcosmetics #meyeong-dongdistrict #Seoulshopping #badtourismexperiences #touristhazards

韓美妝店強迫刷2萬小澈老師:回台灣拍影片遭威脅

2026-11-11

台灣一名美妝網紅日前到首爾明洞美妝店購物，驚爆遇上恐怖的消費經驗！他控訴，店員不只強勢推銷，甚至五、六個人圍上來施壓，被迫刷卡兩萬元！雖然最後成功退費，卻還是得花三千多元，買下根本不需要的保養品才能離開。更誇張的是，他返台後拍片提醒其他旅客小心，竟然還收到疑似店家的威脅訊息！

台灣美妝網紅小澈老師，原本開開心心到韓國首爾明洞逛街，想說買個美妝保養品，沒想到踏進店裡，竟然成了噩夢的開始。

[[當事旅客小澈老師]]
“一出店門口馬上看刷卡紀錄，兩萬台幣，我要退掉這些產品，他們超級可怕，突然就五、六個人圍過來，包含一些壯漢全部圍過來說，為什麼你要退，我們進去裡面講，一直想把我帶到小房間裡面”

雖然最後成功退費，但又強迫多花了3000多元買了不需要的保養品才能離開，事後他除了向韓國觀光公社申訴，回到台灣也把經歷拍成影片，提醒台灣旅客要小心。沒想到，竟然收到帶威脅意味的訊息！

[[當事旅客小澈老師]]
“這個訊息的內容大概就是說，他希望我把這支影片下架，他們公司背後有法務團隊，會可以讓我沒有辦法把這支影片發出去。在我那支影片留言底下，有非常非常多的人遇到同樣的情況。後來我真的收到十幾則，想要盜用我帳號的通知，讓我這幾天都睡不好”

只是出國旅遊，人生地不熟，萬一真的遇到強迫推銷，到底該怎麼自保？

[[旅遊作家 943]]
“要上網搜尋一下評價啊，或者台灣人用暗語啊，寫說這家這個店員會多刷了，結帳完之後呢，也不要就這樣就走了，還要核對一下你的收據的清單跟你的東西”

原本只是想去韓國買美麗，沒想到美麗沒買成，反倒買了一肚子氣！

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Foreign students and workers show Hualien in new light in just 90 seconds

What do you see when you look at Hualien through a foreigner’s eyes? From breathtaking mountain and ocean views to hidden local gems, international residents are putting this eastern county in the spotlight. Hualien County launched a series of initiatives to boost its international profile, including a short-video competition inviting foreign students and workers to capture what makes Hualien special, in just 90 seconds. And the winning entries are proving that sometimes, it takes a fresh pair of eyes to show a place in a whole new light.

Photos and vertical videos capture Hualien from every angle. The county government recently held a series of events to promote international exchanges and the Hualien brand to the world. One of the events was a video contest, in which foreign residents studying or working in the county created 90-second vertical videos to highlight the diverse beauty around them. The talent was overflowing.

Aniisa Syahlaa Athaasyah
Gold Prize Winner
I feel like Hualien really has the potential for people to see more. It’s just maybe a lack of information or some people don’t know much about it. So I really want to share what we can do here in Hualien.

The Gold Prize winner is a student in Hualien. She says that for international students living in Hualien, or foreigners in general, you don’t have to move far to find beauty. Through the videos created by foreigners, this first edition of the international short video contest highlighted stunning places and memorable moments overlooked by locals.

Lee Yu-jen
Hualien International Affairs official
We’ve been promoting Hualien as a foreigner-friendly destination for three years. Although I was not part of the jury, I did watch every video that you created. They were all amazing, showcasing Hualien from so many different perspectives.

Hualien’s efforts to be recognized as a destination that is friendly to foreigners have garnered praise. But it doesn’t end there. The county has been promoting the use of English in menus, signboards and service pamphlets as well as scenario-based training materials, instructional videos, and other resources for the hospitality and tourism industries. The participants’ videos showed that the county government’s attention to detail and everyone’s hard work have not gone unnoticed.

Tung Ko-ching
Member of jury
In just a short minute, your creations not only captured the breath-taking beauty of Hualien, from our mountains, oceans and the gorgeous and tranquil plains, but also presented the rich variety of our local cultures and vibrant activities.

All the award winners hopped on to the stage, as the most persuasive ambassadors for their second home, Hualien. Equipped with cameras and zeal, they told the stories of Hualien in their own language, for social media users all around the world to see this beautiful county.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#hualien #reel #contest #creator #tourism

2026-11-11

Candidate hopes satirical video will inspire political change in Miaoli

Lin Yueh-chin, the DPP’s candidate for mayor of Miaoli City, sponsored a content creator to produce a satirical short film poking fun at the local scandals that once grabbed national headlines by promoting the “country of Miaoli” as a tourist attraction. Lin said they may seem like jokes to outsiders, but to locals, it’s no laughing matter. Through the video, she hopes to inspire young people to return to Miaoli to vote.

The opening of this video shows a passport getting stamped. But what country is that? Why does their travel itinerary include a movement against wind turbines, excavator scandals, and political fighting?

Local scandals that once dominated national headlines, like the demolition of a mom-and-pop pharmacy in the infamous Dapu land-grab incident, are spun as tourist attractions for the “country of Miaoli” in this campaign video.

Lin Yueh-chin
Miaoli City mayoral candidate (DPP)
But to those of us from Miaoli, these are all real things that happened right here in our hometown. They aren’t funny at all.

Lin Yueh-chin, who’s running for Miaoli City mayor with the DPP, sponsored the content creator Lu Lu to create a video highlighting the “country of Miaoli” as an offbeat tourist attraction.

Lin Yueh-chin
Miaoli City mayoral candidate (DPP)
The goal was to use a kind of humor familiar with young people to translate these serious and complex political issues into content that everyone is willing to watch and can understand.

Lin said that the county’s many political scandals have turned Miaoli into a national laughingstock. But for locals, these issues are everyday realities that directly impact their lives and demand rigorous oversight.

Lin Yueh-chin
Miaoli City mayoral candidate (DPP)
This election offers an opportunity for change. That’s why I hope that particularly young folks studying or working away from home won’t just laugh it off after watching the video, but will show care for their hometown and return to vote.

Lin said that Miaoli hasn’t changed political hands for 76 years, making it feel like a chaotic “state within a state.” She hopes young people will enthusiastically return home to cast their ballots and serve as a driving force for change.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Miaoli #LinYuehchin #elections #politics #DapuIncident

2026-11-11

Chiayi woman runs in traffic and jumps in water fountain

2026-11-11

France awards Taichung chef prestigious Order of Agricultural Merit

Taichung’s six-time Michelin star-winning French restaurant now has another accolade to its name. The head chef, Justine Li, recently became the first in Taiwan to be awarded the Order of Agricultural Merit, an honor that’s been handed out by the French government for over a century. Let’s take a look at her latest autumn-winter menu, featuring local Taiwanese elements fused with French fine dining.

This squab breast was slow-cooked over a locally sourced longan wood fire, infusing the crispy skin and tender meat with a subtle woody aroma. It’s a seasonal dish, only offered as part of the autumn-winter menu.

Justine Li
Chef
I rotate the menu with the seasons. We only offer squab and roast duck during the autumn and winter.

This seafood dish is equally as stunning, with ocean fish and water snowflake intricately woven together by hand to allow the crispness of the vegetable to play off of the tender fish.

The dessert course has strong Taiwanese influences. This mont blanc is made from an autumnal mix of lotus seeds, lotus root, and osmanthus. Every one of these exquisite French creations is the brainchild of Taiwanese chef Justine Li.

Justine Li
Chef
We use lotus seeds and lotus root to make a dessert similar to a mont blanc, a dish served in the transition from autumn to winter.

Li has been running her own French restaurant in Taichung for over 20 years. She was recently awarded the Knight rank of the Order of Agricultural Merit, becoming the first Taiwanese chef to earn the prestigious French accolade.

Justine Li
Chef
It was a surprise. I’ve been quietly making French cuisine for years. France is of course very proud of its culinary heritage. Earning their recognition is no easy feat. So I feel particularly honored and overjoyed.

Established over 140 years ago, the Order of Agricultural Merit is bestowed by the French government upon those who make substantial contributions in the fields of agriculture, food science, and gastronomy. For Li to receive the Knight rank is a point of pride for Taiwan’s entire culinary industry.

Justine Li
Chef
The food and beverage sector has been a bit sluggish in Taiwan of late. I hope that winning this distinction will encourage the public to support the industry and give people working in the field a boost of confidence.

Li retains a passion for cooking as strong as it was on her first day in the kitchen. Through her mastery, she’s showing the world all that Taiwan has to offer to French fine dining.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#JustineLi #Frenchcuisine #cooking #chef #Michelin #OrderofAgriculturalMerit

2026-11-11

Hackers threaten parents of students at international school

A hacker group is allegedly attempt to extort an international school in New Taipei. Parents of students at Kang Chiao International School in Linkou say they have recently received threatening emails. The senders claim to have breached the school’s systems and stolen sensitive personal information about students and their families. They threatened to expose the data if they weren’t contacted within the day. The distressing situation left students and their families on edge. The school has since disconnected its network and reported the matter to the police. Let’s hear more.

Wang Yu-chun
FTV reporter
After discovering the hacker intrusion, the school immediately disconnected its network. The school’s official website is now inaccessible and the smart school app and student system are also completely out of service.

Yu Sheng-tao
Kang Chiao International School Linkou
We’ve provided parents and faculty with all the relevant information, and urged them to double check everything. For example, do not open any suspicious links. We must be extremely careful. There’s a three-point rule: Do not reply to messages, do not open links and do not trust unfamiliar phone calls. Also, do not spread unverified information.

Weng Chien-ming
New Taipei Education Department
Based on our understanding, this is a system independently purchased by the school, primarily used for school administration. We have classified this as a routine personal data protection incident.

The initial contact was last Friday, Nov. 6. Hackers sent an email to the school, demanding the school do download a browser and enter an encryption key. The school refused. But the situation only escalated, as the group started sending intimidating messages to the parents of students, threatening to harm students. The school has brought in cybersecurity forensic specialists to conduct an in-depth investigation. They will examine system vulnerabilities, search for any malicious tasks that may have been planted, and determine the extent of the data leakage.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#school #hacker #kangchiao #linkou #taiwan

2026-11-11

Taiwan influencer scammed and threatened at Seoul cosmetics store