Cebu taxi scam on TXT member Soobin reach Korean media
K-pop group TXT leader Soobin was scammed by a Cebu taxi driver, an incident now making headlines in Korea.
TXT member Soobin, leader of the K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, reported an attempted overcharging incident by a Cebu taxi driver during his visit to Cebu with a friend. The incident occurred when Soobin checked a ride-hailing app showing an estimated fare of P300, but the driver raised it to P500 citing high fuel costs. Upon arrival at their hotel, the driver suddenly demanded P1,000 instead of the agreed P500. Soobin firmly insisted on paying only the agreed amount and warned the driver that he was recording everything for potential reporting. He expressed shock in Korean, saying "I can't believe he would change the price suddenly" and "I'm going to report this."
The incident gained attention after Soobin detailed the experience in a vlog on TXT's official YouTube channel uploaded around April 2, 2026. Philippine authorities responded swiftly, with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza II announcing on April 2, 2026, that they are identifying the driver for suspension. The taxi could be impounded pending trial, and legal action may be taken against both the driver and operator for fraud under the Public Service Act.
The involved Cebu taxi company plans to conduct its own internal investigation into the driver's actions. This incident follows similar taxi issues reported by other K-pop idols in the Philippines, including Seventeen's Joshua Hong who previously reported a taxi scam during his Manila visit. The news coverage primarily comes from reliable Philippine media outlets including Cebu Daily News, Philstar, ABS-CBN, and GMA Network, all reporting on April 2-3, 2026.
No Korean media sources appear in the search results, with coverage focused on Philippine outlets documenting the incident and official responses. The LTFRB's investigation aims to identify the specific driver and take appropriate disciplinary action, highlighting ongoing concerns about taxi overcharging practices in the country that have affected both local residents and international visitors.
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