Cho Sae-ho and Park Na-rae issue 'groundless' denials amid successive controversies, but image damage is inevitable
Comedian Cho Sae-ho and broadcaster Park Na-rae have each been embroiled in controversies — one over an acquaintance and the other over alleged power abuse — leaving the entertainment industry repeatedly noisy. Both tried to contain the situation through their agencies, saying "groundless" or "we are accurately ascertaining the facts," but with public opinion rapidly worsening online, it appears difficult to avoid image damage.
#. Cho Sae-ho 'rumor of gangster acquaintance' spreads… agency: "Not true at all"
On the night of the 4th, A2Z Entertainment strongly denied to OSEN, "The recent allegations raised on social media that Mr. Cho Sae-ho received expensive gifts from a specific acquaintance are not true at all." The allegation began when a social media account that claims to report illegal criminals asserted, "Cho Sae-ho often associates with Choi, who is known as a powerful figure in a Geochang-area violent organization, promoted the franchise he runs and received expensive gifts," and claimed. The social media account even released a photo of Cho Sae-ho embracing Choi, and the controversy quickly spread.
However, the agency drew a line, saying, "He is merely a casual acquaintance met through various event activities, and allegations of paid gifts and illegal involvement are all groundless." Nevertheless, the suspicions have not subsided. On the official You Quiz on the Block account, comments such as "Step down yourself" and "Verification is needed" have continued, and past controversies, including attendance at a 'breast cancer drinking party,' have been rehashed, intensifying public opinion.
For Cho Sae-ho, who debuted in 2001 and has continued steady activity as an MC and entertainer, this controversy is likely to result in considerable image loss.
#. Park Na-rae responds to former managers' exposés… "There were additional demands for money"
When Park Na-rae was embroiled in 'power abuse allegations' after successive revelations by former managers, she issued an official position through her agency on the 5th and actively refuted them.
Enpark said, "The recent claims made by the former managers are different from the facts," and added, "We are confirming the accurate facts and apologize for the delay in issuing a statement." The agency said that two employees who worked with Park Na-rae for about 1 year and 3 months received their severance pay properly when they resigned, but they claimed that after leaving they demanded an additional amount equal to 10% of the company's previous year's sales.
Regarding inadequate registration for planning and production of popular culture and arts, the agency said, "It was confirmed that those employees falsely reported that the registration procedures had been completed." It added that they raised the issue to the media after resigning and that the scale of the monetary demands increased to several hundred million won in the meantime.
Park Na-rae said she is "suffering great psychological shock" because of the sudden exposés, demands for money and media pressure, and the agency stressed, "If there is wrongdoing, we will not evade responsibility, but we will take legal action against claims that are not true."
#. Despite explanations, public opinion worsens… image risk unavoidable for both
Even though Cho Sae-ho denied the allegations, demands for his removal poured in on his official account, raising the likelihood of direct impact on his broadcasting activities. Park Na-rae, despite the agency's point-by-point rebuttal, is facing renewed mentions that she has experienced multiple controversies in the past, leaving public opinion complicated.
Although both are still at a stage where legal and factual conclusions have not been reached, the mere raising of allegations causes significant image damage. In particular, since they are actively involved in numerous regular programs, changes in their future activities seem inevitable.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]