Comedian Park Narae's manager power-abuse allegations have shaken the entertainment industry, and in the broadcasting world, contrasting examples are naturally being reexamined. The reason stars such as Jang Yeong-ran, Park Myeong-su, Song Ga-in, Han Chae-young and Jang Yoon-jung — who have long built up positive reputations for how they treat managers and staff — are receiving renewed attention is clear.
After the controversy triggered by a Dispatch report, Park Narae faced multiple allegations from former managers including workplace harassment, verbal abuse, special injury, errands to obtain prescriptions on their behalf, and unpaid hosting fees. The former managers even filed for provisional seizure of real estate with the court. Park Narae's side declared a halt to activities, saying there had been misunderstandings with managers who had been like family, but the former managers rebutted that there was no apology and that they were instead told to "sue," so the controversy has not subsided easily.
In this situation, past remarks and broadcast scenes of Jang Yeong-ran are being revisited on online communities and on air. On MBC's Radio Star, Jang Yeong-ran said she was pained that her managers' salaries were too low and said she reduced her own contract fee to request higher pay for her managers and stylists from the agency. It drew attention when it became known that their salaries were actually raised.
On MBC's Omniscient Interfering View, not only Jang Yeong-ran's current manager but also former managers who had left were shown accompanying her on schedules. A former manager said Jang Yeong-ran personally helped arrange a hospital vehicle contract when he had changed careers to become a car dealer, and another former manager said he still works at a hospital run by Jang Yeong-ran's husband, maintaining their ties. Yang Se-hyung of the same agency said, "Jang Yeong-ran is especially popular with managers," drawing attention.
Comedian Park Myeong-su's case is also being mentioned. Park Myeong-su's manager Han Gyeong-ho recently wrote on social media that because it was event season they had to travel from Seoul to Gyeongju, and at the Chungju rest area Park Myeong-su personally took the wheel. In the released photos, Park Myeong-su was shown driving with a relaxed expression.
Park Myeong-su's story of personally driving is not new. Last year, while traveling to an event in Yeosu, it was revealed he drove about 300 km of a 730 km round trip, relieving his manager's burden, and the manager said on air, "I am always grateful because my salary is higher than my peers.'" The industry has commented that there is a reason the team has stayed together for a long time.
Trot singer Song Ga-in's "love for staff" is also drawing renewed attention. On KBS 2TV's Baedalwassuda, Song Ga-in said, "When it's busy, a staff member's monthly food expenses can reach 30 million to 40 million won," and added, "It pains me to see them subsist on ramyeon or kimbap." She revealed that sometimes a single meal could cost 600,000 to 700,000 won, showing her generosity.
Song Ga-in also requested directly to her agency that managers' salaries be increased by about 15 percent, and she has provided personal bonuses, vehicle support and home appliances as gifts. She has said her philosophy is, "It's better to spend luxury goods on those who have helped me than on myself."
Actor Han Chae-young's case is also being reexamined. On the 2021 broadcast of Omniscient Interfering View, Han Chae-young described a manager as "a family-like ally" and it was revealed she personally took care of things from finding a home to household items. The story that she held on to a manager who was thinking of quitting because she told them, "You will do well," left a deep impression.
Singer Jang Yoon-jung's remarks are also being mentioned again. On her YouTube channel Dojang TV, she drew a line saying, "It's not acceptable to make a manager wait because you were drinking," and added, "That would be something the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) could be reported to." That remark has been reexamined after the Park Narae controversy as a "normal employment awareness."
As the Park Narae controversy drags on, the reason these positive stories are resurfacing is clear. While some are facing activity suspensions and legal battles over conflicts with managers, others have both former and current managers stepping forward to vouch for trust and ties. The controversy has raised greater interest in the treatment and relationships of managers and staff across the entertainment industry.
[Photo] 'OSEN DB, broadcast screen
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