① Reason Behind Security Stopped the Influencer
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Before departing on an international journey, it’s mandatory to pass through airport security.
This can often induce a sense of unease. No matter how well you conceal prohibited items, security will uncover them. Many people try to bring prohibited items to security checkpoints and get caught and embarrassed. Additionally, many individuals attempt to pass through security with dangerous items and get caught.
Among these, we will discuss an incident involving Emily Mei, a Chinese influencer with over 740,000 followers. She is a YouTuber and runs an accessory brand. She is known to have a fondness for Korean culture and has many Korean friends. She is also close with celebrities like Jessi and Amber. There is much content related to Korean culture on Emily Mei’s YouTube channel.
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Airport security in Los Angeles, USA, stopped Emily Mei as she tried to bring something for her friends in Korea. The U.S. security reprimanded her and held her up at the checkpoint. Transportation Security Administration officers. At the time, Emily Mei was carrying a large luxury bag.
Emily Mei had brought 20 bags of Cheetos in her luxury bag. The security checkpoint officer examined the large bag while wearing gloves. However, the bag only contained Cheetos.
Emily Mei said she bought spicy Cheetos in the U.S. for her Korean friends. Because spicy Cheetos are unavailable in Korea, she said she buys spicy Cheetos every time she goes to Korea to share with her friends. The short 9-second video Emily Mei shared garnered much attention and views.
② Controversy over Cheetos marketing
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Emily Mei also commented on social media, “I will never forget the day the customs officer stopped me. All I had in my bag was 20 bags of Cheetos.” As the video spread through social media, Cheetos seemed pleased.
Brandi Ray, who handles Cheetos marketing, said, “Seeing her try to bring spicy Cheetos to friends in another country thrilled me.” He added, “If Mei couldn’t bring the spicy Cheetos to her final destination in Korea, we could have shipped it for her.”
However, some raised suspicions that Emily Mei was doing a form of marketing with Cheetos. In response, Mei said the sponsorship suspicions were groundless and that she had purchased the Cheetos herself. Emily Mei added that she did not need support from Cheetos.
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Emily Mei has previously posted a picture of herself wearing a Cheetos swimsuit, further fueling marketing controversy.
In an interview with a media outlet, she said, “I wore a Cheetos swimsuit in June, which was a gift from the clothing company ‘Forever 21’, and I also bought Cheetos with my own money for my Korean friends this time. Neither then nor now has Cheetos paid me anything.”
Meanwhile, Emily Mei could safely pass through the security checkpoint and bring the Cheetos to Korea.
The U.S. The Transportation Security Administration permits passengers to carry food on board. However, overseas residents like Emily Mei might conduct enhanced security checks and additional investigations.
Emily Mei’s security check due to Cheetos remained a fun story.
③ Strict procedures of U.S. security checkpoints
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Security checkpoints ensure passengers aren’t bringing prohibited items on board to ensure everyone’s safety. To board an airplane, you need to go through these checkpoints. U.S. airports, particularly, are notorious for the long waits at their security checkpoints.
John F. Kennedy International Airport has the longest average security checkpoint wait time in the U.S., clocking in at 48 minutes and 24 seconds. The average wait time at security checkpoints was 22 minutes and 48 seconds, and the average at immigration checkpoints was 25 minutes and 36 seconds. San Francisco International Airport in California came second, while Miami International Airport in Florida ranked third.
The procedures at U.S. security checkpoints are known to be strict. As strict as the procedures are, thorough checks are carried out at security checkpoints. Many passengers experience inconvenience due to the lengthy process caused by the strict security checks. Even after passing through the airport security checkpoint, you may have to undergo additional stringent security checks.
By. Han Mia (miumia___12@mememedia.co.kr)
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