Lee Hyori·Taeyeon·Lee Si-eon, even mother worried… Park Na-rae's 'drunken ramblings' remarks reexamined
Broadcaster Park Na-rae has been embroiled in legal disputes over various allegations from former managers such as power harassment·assault·proxy prescriptions, and his past remarks about his drinking habits repeatedly mentioned in past broadcasts and YouTube content are receiving renewed attention.
Earlier, on the 4th, Dispatch reported that Park Na-rae's former managers filed an application for provisional seizure of real estate worth about 100 million won at the Seoul Western District Court, and also announced they would file a damage claim lawsuit citing workplace harassment, abusive language and assault. They especially claimed they suffered verbal abuse and physical harm for the reason of "not attending drinking gatherings." In response, Park Na-rae's agency told OSEN, "We are currently checking the facts."
As the controversy spread, online responses ranged from cautious views such as "hasty conclusions are dangerous" and "both sides' positions should be heard," to comments that past revealed drinking-related episodes seem to overlap with reality.
In this process, remarks by acquaintances who mentioned Park Na-rae's drinking habits are being reexamined one after another.
#. Taeyeon·Key "slept under the table, sometimes carried away"
On the previously released YouTube channel 'Naraesik', SHINee's Key and Girls' Generation's Taeyeon, who appear together on tvN's Amazing Saturday, appeared as guests. There, Park Na-rae recalled the Amazing Saturday MT and brought up drinking anecdotes, and Taeyeon and Key described the situation in detail.
Taeyeon said, "We partied until the sun rose," and "the older sister left first in the middle, wasn't she carried away?" Park Na-rae also acknowledged, "Right. I was carried away." Then Key added, "There were nights when she slept under the table, weren't there?" and Park Na-rae, recalling, said, "Wasn't that the same day?" which drew laughter.
#. Lee Si-eon "woke up like a zombie and pulled up her shirt"…
Actor Lee Si-eon also publicly mentioned Park Na-rae's drinking habits on 'Naraesik'. Recalling the situation after a 'I Live Alone' company dinner, Lee Si-eon said, "We tried to carry Park Na-rae into the car, and someone we were sure was unconscious suddenly came back to life like a zombie and said, 'You're all screwed,' then pulled up her shirt," which shocked listeners.
Lee Si-eon said, "As I tried to stop her, all sorts of thoughts came to mind," and advised, "If you're thinking about marriage, you should cut back on drinking. Marriage is reality."
#. Lee Hyori "locked the door at dawn… it was scary"
Singer Lee Hyori also recalled drinking occasions with Park Na-rae on the TVing variety show 'Seoul Check-in'. Lee Hyori said, "She seemed definitely drunk so I went to sleep first, but there was a sound of the door being opened repeatedly so I locked the door and slept," and "At 3:30 a.m. she wanted to turn on the light to cook and I wondered when to stop her," she confessed.
Regarding this, Park Na-rae at the time laughed it off, admitting, "I'm a drinking zombie."
Lee Hyori also said, "She was drunk but said she would do something more. At 3:30 a.m. she tried to turn on the light saying she would cook, and I thought, 'Should I hit her with a soju bottle now?' I kept watching for the right timing to hit her."
#. the biggest worry is family… mother's worried remarks recalled
The most direct concern about Park Na-rae's drinking problem also came from her family. In September last year, Park Na-rae's mother, Go Myeong-suk, who appeared on Channel A's 'Oh Eun-young's Golden Counseling Center', said, "Her health is not good but when she drinks she is the first to get drunk and go into a room," and "She has had her throat operated on three times and her condition is not managed," expressing worry. She added, "Sometimes she insults her younger sibling while urging them to drink. The family laughs it off, but if she does that to others it can cause great harm," and in tears said, "If my daughter gives and causes hurt with her words, that's all pointless."
Comments about Park Na-rae's drinking that in the past were consumed as a comedic device and a "drinking zombie character" are now being interpreted differently as they intersect with the current allegations of "coercing others to drink·verbal abuse·assault." In particular, 'I Live Alone', on which Park Na-rae appeared, has precedent of receiving a regulatory sanction of "caution" from the Korea Communications Standards Commission for frequent drinking scenes and glamorization, which draws further attention.
However, the allegations raised so far are at the stage of claims by former managers, and Park Na-rae's side maintains it is checking the facts. Online, cautious views such as "you should not conclude the current matter based only on past remarks" continue. With the direction of the legal battle and what position Park Na-rae will take in the future, attention is focused.
[Photo] 'OSEN DB, broadcast screen
[OSEN]