Pastor Lee Young-hoon, head of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, caused a stir recently when a video surfaced showing him receiving excessive protocol upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport. Sharing the moment was freelancer journalist Joe Andaloro, who instinctively recognized that a celebrity's arrival was imminent due to the presence of several well-dressed individuals who were waiting in advance of Lee's vehicle's arrival. When the luxurious car pulled up, a flurry of activity began as the protocol team surrounded Lee, who, notably, did not wear a tie, prompting Andaloro to question, 'Who is this?' and even joke, 'Is he the President of Korea?'.

The situation escalated when a representative from Pastor Lee's side attempted to prevent Andaloro from filming, claiming that it was harassment under the law to film a specific individual. However, Andaloro rebutted this, asserting his right to film in a public space under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedoms concerning press and expression. The back-and-forth between both parties intensified as they exchanged words, highlighting the cultural differences in public demeanor and celebrity culture between the U.S. and South Korea.

The incident, which was reported to have occurred while Pastor Lee was in Los Angeles to attend the '2026 Korea-US Leaders Prayer Meeting', has gained significant attention online with the video amassing over 1.2 million views and a slew of comments from viewers expressing diverse reactions. This situation not only raises questions about the nature of public protocol for influential individuals but also mirrors broader discussions regarding the implications of fame, privacy, and cultural expectations in differing international contexts.