Yoo Jae-seok and his mother were even worried about Park Na-rae's 'drinking habit'... controversy continues after announcement of activity suspension
Comedian Park Na-rae has officially declared a suspension of her broadcasting activities after various controversies, and remarks related to her past drinking habits are again drawing attention. With her main variety show, MBC "I Live Alone", among the programs she was appearing on, she has stepped down from shows one after another, and the fallout does not seem to be subsiding easily.
Park Na-rae initially announced she would release a statement on the 7th but posted her position a day late on the 8th via her personal SNS. She explained, "In early November, two managers who were like family suddenly resigned, and because sufficient conversation did not follow, misunderstandings accumulated." She continued, "With others' help, I met face to face with former managers only yesterday, and while misunderstandings and distrust have been resolved to some extent, I still believe all responsibility is my fault," and bowed her head. Park Na-rae declared she would effectively refrain from activities, saying, "I decided to suspend all broadcasting activities because I judged that someone who should bring laughter and joy can no longer be a burden to the programs and colleagues."
In this situation, Park Na-rae's past remarks and criticisms related to drinking are being revisited. On the 5th, various online communities and SNS reexamined past broadcast scenes related to Park Na-rae's 'drinking habit.'
In 2016, Park Na-rae appeared on MBC "Radio Star" and said, "I felt Yoo Jae-seok's dignity on the set of 'Infinite Challenge,'" and added, "Yoo Jae-seok advised me, 'You're doing well now, but if you drink you could have accidents and it could interfere with broadcasting, so I hope you stop drinking.'"
On tvN "Life Bar," Shin Dong-yup mentioned, "I had a bad impression when I first saw Park Na-rae's drinking habits at a drinking gathering," which became controversial. Shin Dong-yup also said, "Narae, I'm not trash like you even when I'm drunk." Since then, Park Na-rae's drinking habits have been used as comedic material on various variety shows.
On 2018's SBS "Running Man," Yoo Jae-seok mentioned that Park Na-rae was the most intoxicated at the afterparty of the SBS Entertainment Awards, and Yang Se-hyung said on "Zzanbro" that "when Park Na-rae is drunk she eats with her hands and once walked around without wearing shoes." Park Na-rae herself acknowledged her drinking habit, saying, "When I drink, my body gets a lot of bruises."
The most direct concern about her drinking came from her family. In September last year on Channel A "Oh Eun-young's Golden Counseling Center," Park Na-rae's mother, Ko Myung-sook, expressed worry, saying, "Her body isn't well, but when she drinks she gets drunk first and goes into her room. She has had her throat operated on three times and it's not being cared for." She added through tears, "Sometimes she swears at her younger sibling and urges them to drink. The family laughs it off, but if she treated others that way it could cause deep wounds."
Comments that in the past were consumed as characters and jokes in variety shows are now being interpreted differently as they overlap with former managers' allegations of "pressuring to drink, verbal abuse, and injury." In particular, MBC "I Live Alone" has a precedent of receiving a broadcast regulatory commission legal sanction of "warning" for frequent drinking scenes and glorification, drawing heightened interest.
However, the current allegations are at the stage of former managers' claims, and Park Na-rae's side has maintained that they are "verifying the facts." Online, cautious voices saying "You should not conclude the current matter based only on past remarks" and "We should wait for legal judgment" have also appeared. Facing consecutive controversies over managers' power abuse, allegations of illegal medical practices, and controversy over not registering a one-person agency, Park Na-rae is experiencing the biggest crisis since her debut. Even after announcing the suspension of activities, the repercussions of related issues are expected to continue for the time being.
Meanwhile, MBC "I Live Alone" also officially acknowledged Park Na-rae's departure. The production team said, "Considering the seriousness of the matter and respecting Park Na-rae's intention to suspend activities, we decided to stop her appearances," and added, "We apologize for the delayed position." Afterward, Park Na-rae also left tvN "Amazing Saturday," and MBC "Save Me! Homes" is reported to plan to edit the already filmed segments as much as possible before broadcasting.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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