Cho Sae-ho·Park Na-rae controversy spreads calls for removal… are broadcasters holding them for now?
Comedian Park Na-rae and Cho Sae-ho appear to be caught in a controversy that is showing signs of prolongation, and calls for their removal from the variety programs they are appearing on are growing stronger. However, broadcasters have so far chosen a policy of "keeping" them, airing both without edits. Some observers say this may be an aftereffect of the recent forced removal controversy involving Lee Yi-kyung.
Cho Sae-ho became the center of controversy on the 4th after an SNS account that deals with reports of illegal crimes raised an "organized crime involvement allegation." The account claimed that Cho Sae-ho received expensive gifts and promoted a franchise operated by a member of an organized crime group, and that he had maintained a friendship with a gang member surnamed Choi who was active in the Geochang, Gyeongnam area for at least 10 years. The controversy spread quickly after a photo of Cho Sae-ho and Choi with their arms around each other was released.
In response, Cho Sae-ho's agency A2Z Entertainment issued an official statement on the 5th, strongly denying the allegations, saying, "The allegations of receiving money or goods and involvement with organized crime are all groundless." The agency also said it was considering civil and criminal legal action on charges of defamation and obstruction of business for spreading false information.
Nevertheless, the exposé account warned of further revelations, saying, "If they continue to claim they are simply 'acquaintances,' we will have no choice but to release photos of Cho Sae-ho and his wife drinking at Choi's house." As a result, comments demanding their removal poured in on the official SNS accounts of KBS2's "2 Days & 1 Night" and tvN's "You Quiz on the Block," and posts calling for his removal were also posted on KBS's viewer petition board.
Park Na-rae is facing a similar situation. She was recently sued and accused by two former managers on charges including abuse of power, verbal abuse, special injury, proxy prescriptions and unpaid event fees, and the controversy grew when it became known that a real estate provisional seizure petition had been filed. The former managers claimed 24-hour standby duty, personal household labor, and forced attendance at drinking parties. Park Na-rae's side denied the claims, saying, "Severance pay was paid properly, and when we refused their subsequent request for an amount equal to 10% of company sales, claims that differed from the facts followed," and countersued the former managers on charges of extortion and embezzlement. She also denied the illegal medical procedure allegations, saying, "She received treatment in the form of a house call from a licensed medical practitioner."
However, the doctors' group "Association of Doctors for a Just Society (ADJS)" issued an official statement on the 7th, pointing out that the academic background claimed by the person known as Park Na-rae's "injection aunt" was a "nonexistent ghost medical school," and the matter entered a renewed phase of spread. The association emphasized, "Even if one graduated from a Chinese medical school, practicing medicine in Korea would be clearly illegal," and called for further verification.
Despite the ongoing controversy, broadcasters are choosing to keep Cho Sae-ho and Park Na-rae on air for now, rather than immediately removing them, airing both existing footage and new broadcasts as is. Cho Sae-ho has appeared on programs without major edits, and Park Na-rae is appearing normally on MBC's "Save Me! Homes," "I Live Alone," and tvN's "Amazing Saturday." In Park Na-rae's case, a VCR studio recording for "I Live Alone" is also scheduled on the 8th, drawing attention to whether she will attend.
Inside and outside the industry, some cautiously interpret that the recent forced removal controversy involving actor Lee Yi-kyung may have had some influence. Lee Yi-kyung left programs amid personal rumors and later revealed, "It was a forced removal at the suggestion of the production team," which provoked a public backlash. Afterward, both broadcasters and cast members experienced significant controversy.
Because of such precedents, some analysts say broadcasters are currently choosing to avoid the risk of a "removal before judicial judgment" as much as possible. They appear to believe a hasty removal decision could invite another backlash.
In the end, although public calls for the removal of both Cho Sae-ho and Park Na-rae are strong, broadcasters have entered a wait-and-see mode. It cannot be ruled out that the production team's choice may change depending on future investigation results, additional revelations or official statements from the parties involved. Whether the broadcaster's choice to "hold on" will serve as a shield or become a burden is likely to depend on the flow of public opinion and legal judgments.<
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]