Comedian Park Narae has been dragged into the worst mudslinging fight of her career. In response to shocking allegations raised by her former managers, Park Narae issued an official statement to explain herself and countered by accusing them of embezzling corporate funds. With suspicions of illegal medical procedures also surfacing, a battle over the truth has become inevitable.
On the 3rd, Park Narae's former managers alleged not only simple unfair treatment but also ▲workplace harassment ▲special injury ▲proxy prescriptions ▲nonpayment of event fees, and they filed a petition for provisional seizure of real estate at the Seoul Western District Court while signaling a lawsuit seeking about 100 million won in damages.
In response, Park Narae said, "After receiving their severance pay, the former managers additionally demanded an amount equal to 10% of the company's previous-year revenue. The demanded amount gradually increased to reach several hundred million won. Allegations raised by some media outlets will be clarified through future legal procedures. Our company will faithfully clarify the facts and carry out necessary measures."
▲ former managers vs. Park Narae…what is the essence of the case?
The former managers argued in their complaint that the essence of the case is Park Narae's dehumanizing treatment and illegal acts, including workplace harassment, special injury and proxy prescriptions. Through a 100 million won damages claim and a petition for provisional seizure of real estate, they have taken a hard line saying, "We will expose Park Narae's duplicity rather than seek money." In particular, the fact that multiple managers consistently report similar harm lends weight to their claims.
Meanwhile, Park Narae's camp defined the essence of the case as "money." According to the official statement, the employees who left received proper severance pay and then suddenly demanded an unconvincing large sum described as "10% of the previous year's revenue." The agency says it believes the former employees used media leaks as a weapon to pressure Park Narae to force their demands, so a fierce battle is expected.
▲ from proxy prescriptions to medical controversy…a hit to morality
If this were merely a bullying controversy, there might be room to resolve it with apologies and reflection, but this case is different. Among the claims made by the former managers, injuries caused by thrown glasses and proxy prescriptions are clearly subject to criminal punishment. If proxy prescriptions or physical violence are proven to be true, Park Narae could face legal punishment and be removed from broadcasting. That would be a devastating blow that completely destroys the friendly, wholesome image she built on reality shows such as I Live Alone.
But the agency dismissed these as "claims that differ from the facts" and warned of legal action. That can be interpreted as confidence that it has evidence to prove innocence or circumstantial evidence to impeach the other party's claims. That is why attention is focused on future police investigations and court proceedings.
▲ unregistered single-person agency, whose responsibility is it?
A notable passage in the agency's statement was its explanation about the "delay in registering as a cultural arts planning business." Park Narae's side said that, given the nature of a one-person agency, administrative tasks were delegated to all staff (the managers who raised the issues), but they claimed those staff falsely reported that "registration was complete." In other words, the company alleges that employees neglected or intentionally created the company's weakness of "unregistered operation."
This is a key point attacking the former managers' negligence and morality. If it is proven that the managers intentionally omitted the registration to exploit the company's weakness and then used it as leverage to blackmail, public opinion could quickly tilt in Park Narae's favor. Conversely, if it appears that representative Park Narae shifted operational responsibility to employees as a "scapegoating" tactic, there could be a backlash.
Park Narae is now on the edge of a cliff. If the former managers' claims are true, she cannot avoid criticism for deceiving the public; if the agency's claims are true, she becomes a tragic victim betrayed by trusted aides. In any case, Park Narae's brand value has taken a significant hit. But because the truth must be revealed, attention will focus on what happens next.
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