Producers of MBC's variety show I Live Alone set a video to private in which Park Na-rae mentions an IV drip. The move is seen as an attempt to avoid controversy after allegations surfaced that Park received medical services, including IV infusions, from a woman known as the so-called "injection aunt."
According to the broadcasting industry on the 10th, MBC's I Live Alone set to private a YouTube video of the Park Na-rae and Jung Jae-hyung kimchi-making episode aired in Dec. last year. A video titled "Park Na-rae x Jung Jae-hyung booking an IV drip? Legs trembling after hours of kimchi-making," posted on "MBC Entertainment," was also deleted.
In particular, the video titled "Park Na-rae x Jung Jae-hyung booking an IV drip? Legs trembling after hours of kimchi-making" included a scene where Jung Jae-hyung says, "When you book the IV drip for tomorrow, should I get one too?" and Park Na-rae replies, "Uh… oppa… IV drip… let's book together."
Speculation is rising that the video was set to private because it could be problematic, given that Park Na-rae is embroiled in a controversy over illegal medical services. Park is also facing allegations that, through a person known as the injection aunt, she illegally received IV infusions and was provided with psychotropic drugs.
The controversy over illegal medical services began recently when two of Park Na-rae's former managers alleged they suffered verbal abuse and workplace bullying from Park and were not reimbursed for work-related expense. The controversy widened as additional allegations emerged that she received illegal medical treatment and proxy prescriptions.
Lee, identified as Park Na-rae's injection aunt, claimed to have graduated from Baogang Medical College in Inner Mongolia, China, but the group Doctors for a Fair Society noted that the school has been questioned even within China as a ghost medical college.
The Korean Medical Association Organization also said on the 8th, "This is a clear illegal, unlicensed medical act in violation of Article 27 of the Medical Service Act," adding, "There are indications that the psychotropic drug clonazepam, for which proxy and non-face-to-face prescriptions are prohibited, and the prescription drug trazodone were used."
On the 8th, Park Na-rae posted a lengthy statement on her social media regarding allegations of abusing her managers and announced a suspension of activities. Park said, "I can no longer be a burden to the program and my colleagues." However, she did not mention her relationship with Lee, the injection aunt, or allegations of related legal violations.
Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into whether Park Na-rae violated the Narcotics Control Act. Reports say investigators plan to look broadly into possible violations by Park and Lee, the injection aunt, including the Medical Service Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the Wastes Control Act, and the Act on Special Measures for the Control of Public Health Crimes.