Broadcaster Park Narae made an extreme move by releasing a "final statement" regarding multiple allegations surrounding her. But the focus has shifted to an image of poor communication and silence without explanations, spreading misunderstandings, prompting reactions that this may have been a self-inflicted mistake.
Park Narae broke her silence and spoke. Standing before the camera herself, Park Narae's expression was more solemn than ever. In a heavy atmosphere that seemed to show she deeply recognized the seriousness of the current situation, Park Narae said, "I deeply accept that the recent raised issues have caused worry and fatigue to many people. I voluntarily left all the programs I was doing because of these issues. I made that choice so that the production staff and colleagues would no longer be confused or burdened."
She continued, "There are aspects of the current raised matters where the facts need to be calmly verified, and legal procedures are underway. In that process, I will refrain from making additional public statements or explanations. I judge that this matter should be objectively verified through official procedures rather than being an issue of personal feelings or relationships," and added, "This choice is not to blame someone or assign responsibility but a decision to exclude emotions and personal judgment and leave it to the procedures to sort out. Many discussions are taking place now, but I do not want another person to be hurt or for it to turn into unnecessary disputes."
Park Narae said, "So I will pause all activities for the time being and take time to focus on resolving this matter. I will reflect on my responsibilities and attitude in my position. Issues that require time will be handled calmly through the procedures. I thank the many people who cared for me, and I will not make related remarks after this video to avoid creating further controversy."
This is the first time Park Narae has spoken publicly since the 3rd. Although there were statements released through her agency and a post of a statement on her social account, attention was drawn because this is the first time she stood before the camera herself to explain her situation and position regarding this controversy and outline future responses.
Park Narae's statement, summarized as a complete halt of activities, principled legal response, and suspension of additional remarks, drew colder reactions as she appeared not to have read public sentiment.
First, with the public tending to view this conflict not as a simple legal dispute but as an issue of "character" or "morality," Park Narae drew a line by saying it should be confirmed through official procedures rather than being an issue of feelings or relationships. Although she had previously said she thought of her manager as "like family," that image has been damaged, and without an apology, her stance of "let's do it legally" could be seen as such, which is fatal for Park Narae because it could drop her public favorability to an irrecoverable level regardless of legal victory or defeat.
There was neither an apology nor an explanation. The principle of "I will not make additional remarks" can be interpreted as an attempt to prevent the spread of controversy, but conversely, if the other side's revelations continue, the public may take Park Narae's silence as tacit approval. Even if legal innocence is proven, the fact that Park Narae's image may already be damaged makes the decision to refrain from further remarks a potentially risky last resort.
Of course, if Park Narae is legally cleared and the opposing claims are proven false, this response could be reassessed as a decisive and clean handling, but at present it seems likely to be a self-inflicted mistake for Park Narae. If even a small moral failing emerges or legal battles drag on and public fatigue grows, criticisms that she refused to communicate and hid behind the law could make a comeback impossible.
Without passionately protesting her innocence or showing tears, Park Narae expressed her position with a solemn expression and grave atmosphere. Attention is focused on how the roughly 143-second "final statement" will be remembered.
[OSEN]