Comedian Park Narae is at the center of a controversy that has been spreading as new allegations emerge daily. What began with the initial 'injection auntie' allegation has escalated into controversy over violations of the Medical Service Act, and recently there have been circumstances suggesting the so-called 'ringer auntie' administered IV therapy at a lodging used for filming, and even claims that she forced a former manager to engage in possible violations of the Medical Service Act such as proxy prescriptions, and the situation has effectively entered an investigative phase.
#. "ringer auntie" allegation…IV therapy at a hotel used as filming lodging?
On the 10th, Channel A, in an exclusive report, alleged that Park Narae called a person known as the "ringer auntie" to a hotel in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, where she stayed during variety show filming in July last year, and received IV therapy. The former manager who sued Park Narae claimed, "A person in ordinary clothes, not a doctor's gown, entered the hotel room and administered an IV," alleging that this person was completely different from the previously mentioned 'injection auntie.'
Following that, Edaily reported that Park Narae directly asked the manager to arrange the person during filming and that there were text messages discussing the business trip expense. The released messages included content saying, "It's 250,000 won, but please consider the fuel cost," and there were also circumstances indicating that the payment was deposited under the name of a company executive of the agency.
In response, Park Narae's side issued only a brief statement saying, "We are confirming the facts."
# "injection auntie" A, no domestic medical license…medical community "clear illegality"
Regarding the earlier controversy over 'injection auntie' A, Park Narae's side consistently maintained the position that "she received nutrients from a licensed medical professional."
However, the Korean Medical Association Organization rebutted in an official statement, "Any medical act by a person without a domestic medical license is clearly illegal." According to verification of the association's internal database, A was revealed to be a nonmedical person who did not obtain a domestic medical license, and accordingly, violations of the Medical Service Act and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act have been raised as possibilities and related complaints have been filed.
Dermatologist Ham Ik-byung also drew a line on CBS radio, saying, "Even a foreign doctor cannot give a single injection if they do not have a domestic license."
#. Additional revelations from former manager…"forced to make proxy prescriptions, pressuring messages"
The controversy did not end there. On the 12th, Channel A reported that Park Narae's former manager claimed they were forced to perform acts that could violate the Medical Service Act.
According to the former manager, Park Narae requested that a specific medicine be prescribed by proxy, and when they did not comply, she sent pressuring messages to the effect of, "This is also a form of artist care, so why won't you give it?" and "Since you already gave it once, you cannot escape, and you may never be able to do this work again in the future."
The former manager submitted a complaint to the police on the 8th, including captures of the messages, and the police plan to review the possibility of applying the charge of coercion based on this.
Earlier, the former managers filed claims alleging ▲workplace harassment (abuse of power) ▲special injury ▲proxy prescriptions ▲nonpayment of progress fees, among others, and have filed about a 100 million won-level damages lawsuit and an application for provisional seizure of real estate.
#. Despite agency denial, suspicions expand…eventually program suspension
In response, Park Narae's agency, An Park Co., Ltd., denied some claims, saying, "The former managers demanded 10% of last year's sales after leaving the company." They also claimed that the issue of not registering a one-person agency was the responsibility of the former managers and said they have taken legal action against assertions that differ from the facts.
However, the spread of the 'injection auntie' photo, the 'ringer auntie' allegation, and the claim of being forced to issue proxy prescriptions rapidly worsened public opinion.
Ultimately, Park Narae announced, "I will suspend broadcasting activities until everything is clearly resolved," and left MBC's I Live Alone, Save Me! Homes, and tvN's Amazing Saturday.
#. "Is this the tip of the iceberg?"…attention focused on what investigations will reveal
The allegations have now moved beyond the realm of explanation to the realm of judicial judgment. With allegations of injections and IV therapy by nonmedical personnel, forced proxy prescriptions, and claims of abuse of power and embezzlement intertwined, public attention is focused on how much of the substance of the controversy surrounding Park Narae will be revealed through investigation.
Amid views that "this disclosure may be only the tip of the iceberg," the direction of the case depends on the results of the police investigation, so the controversy does not appear likely to subside.
[Photo] OSEN DB, Channel A broadcast screen
[OSEN]