![Broadcaster An Sun-young. [Newsis]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/09/news-p.v1.20260529.7387e427571549cba119011b53243d02_P1.jpg)
Broadcaster An Sun-young said she was barred from sitting a 300,000-won ($194) English proficiency test after arriving just one minute past the entry deadline.
An shared the experience on Instagram on Tuesday, writing that she had circled a one-way street eight times searching for parking, finally found a spot, and rushed to the test center — only to be told she could not enter because she arrived after 8:50 a.m. for a 9 a.m. exam. She said she reached the venue at 8:51 a.m.
The test was the IELTS, an internationally recognized English proficiency exam administered by IDP, used for study abroad, employment and immigration purposes. According to the official IELTS website, entry is not permitted after 8:50 a.m. The exam's guidelines also state that no parking or parking discounts are provided and that test-takers should use public transportation.
An said a staff member responded to her appeal by saying, "That's why you should always come early." She wrote that while the remark was entirely fair, she had cleared her entire schedule for Tuesday's exam with great difficulty. "At the very least, they could include some information about parking," she added. The post tagged IDP's official account.
An relocated to Canada last year so her son could pursue ice hockey, and she has been traveling between South Korea and Canada for work. Her attempt to take the IELTS appears to be connected to her life in Canada.
An made her debut in 2000 as an 11th-cohort MBC comedian.
dbsdn1110@heraldcorp.com
