'MBC entertainment awards' is three weeks away, and with key member Park Na-rae suspending activities, the MBC 'I Live Alone' (hereafter 'I Live Alone') team has fallen into a somber mood. Park Na-rae was a flagship member responsible for the show's laughs, but she was suddenly decided to step down following a series of controversies.
On the 8th, Park Na-rae declared she would suspend all broadcasting activities amid allegations of manager power harassment and illegal medical procedures, and controversy over an unregistered agency. On that day Park Na-rae released a statement saying, "In early November two managers who had been like family suddenly resigned, and until recently we were not given the opportunity to speak with the parties involved, so misunderstandings accumulated between us."
Park Na-rae said, "With the help of many people, I was able to meet face to face with my former manager only yesterday, and while we were able to resolve the misunderstandings and distrust between us, I still think everything is my fault and I am deeply reflecting on it."
She went on to say, "As a comedian whose job is to bring laughter and joy, I decided to suspend broadcasting activities until everything is neatly resolved because I thought I could no longer cause trouble for the program and my colleagues," saying she would leave all broadcasts.
Park Na-rae added, "I bow my head and deeply apologize once again to everyone who believed in and supported me."
I Live Alone entered its heyday after Park Na-rae joined in 2016. She served as the central figure of the 'rainbow gathering' and an upbeat leader who energized viewers. But with this suspension of activities, her appearances on I Live Alone have also been halted.
The issue is the timing. MBC is scheduled to hold the '2025 MBC entertainment awards' on the 29th. As in past years, the I Live Alone team is being mentioned as a major category contender this year as well, but the atmosphere changed rapidly after Park Na-rae suspended activities.
On the 8th, I Live Alone's side opened its mouth, saying, "First, we apologize for the delay in issuing an official position as we wanted to judge the matter with fairness as the focus regarding the recent allegations concerning Park Na-rae, who appears on the program."
They continued, "The I Live Alone production team did not take this matter lightly and has been carefully conducting internal discussions, including verification of the facts," and said, "Considering the seriousness of the matter and Park Na-rae's intention to suspend activities, the production team has decided to suspend Park Na-rae's appearances on 'I Live Alone.'"
Park Na-rae's absence was immediately apparent in viewer reactions. On online communities and social media came responses such as, "I can't imagine I Live Alone without Park Na-rae," "the team's mood will be like a wake," and "the center of cheerfulness is gone." Some viewers expressed regret, saying, "I don't know what faces the I Live Alone team will show at the MBC entertainment awards."
Immediately, Park Na-rae did not attend the I Live Alone recording held on the 8th, and there are growing concerns that the program's balance could be shaken in the long term. Park Na-rae had played the central role in leading the 'rainbow members.' Even if the suspension is temporary, the timing of her return is uncertain, and a program reorganization appears unavoidable.
With Park Na-rae absent, attention is focused on what mood I Live Alone will face the 'entertainment awards' in the remaining three weeks and what choices MBC will make.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC
[OSEN]