Comedian Park Narae released a 2 minute 24 second "final statement" video and tried to push through directly, but the situation appears to have worsened. After the Korea Entertainment Management Association (KEMA) issued a strong official stance calling it a "serious act that hinders industry development," controversy has spread widely as even Park Narae's ex-boyfriend has come under investigation.
On the 17th, the Korea Entertainment Management Association's special body, the disciplinary and ethics committee (hereinafter the disciplinary committee), defined the Park Narae incident as "an act that disturbs the sound customs and order of the popular culture and arts industry and seriously hinders the development of the industry," expressing deep concern and regret.
KEMA pointed out item by item ▲operating a popular culture and arts planning business without registration ▲allegations of failure to enroll managers in the four major social insurances ▲workplace harassment allegations that managers were forced to run personal errands and were subjected to verbal abuse and assault ▲allegations of illegal medical procedures by unlicensed persons known as "injection aunt" and "IV aunt" ▲allegations of embezzlement such as unpaid hosting fees and company funds paid to the ex-boyfriend.
KEMA said, "When there is a lack of a control system for a star's social influence, inappropriate acts can occur and lead to social repercussions without being purged," and stressed, "Entertainers who work with the public's interest and love must bear greater responsibility as public figures." It went on to say, "Continuing entertainment activities without sufficient self-reflection and a responsible attitude should be restrained."
The disciplinary committee also said, "We will use this opportunity to establish proper relationships between entertainers and managers," and "We will take the lead in making the entertainment industry more transparent and healthy." That the association's disciplinary committee, which represents the industry's self-regulatory system, used such a strong tone is interpreted as evidence that it views this matter as highly serious.
KEMA's official stance attracted more attention because it came after Park Narae's "final statement" video released the previous day. In the video, Park Narae said, "We are confirming the facts of the issues currently being raised and are proceeding with legal procedures," and "I will not make any further public statements." However, public opinion cooled further as critics pointed out she emphasized a "legal response" stance without clear explanation or apology.
With Park Narae's ex-boyfriend also becoming the subject of investigation, the situation entered a new phase. On the 17th, the Seoul Yongsan Police Station said it received a charge against the ex-boyfriend, identified as A, for violating the Personal Information Protection Act. A is accused of having collected personal information such as residents registration numbers and addresses from two managers and one stylist on the pretext of preparing employment contracts during the burglary at Park Narae's residence and submitting it to the police.
The fact was revealed through a YouTube channel, and a netizen who saw it filed a complaint against A, triggering the investigation. Police plan to assign an investigator in charge and begin a full investigation.
Park Narae is currently also embroiled in legal disputes with former managers. The former managers accused her of verbal abuse, special assault, requiring constant standby, and personal errands, claiming they were subjected to power harassment and filed complaints against Park Narae. They also raised issues of unpaid severance pay and unpaid expenses due to excessive working hours, and alleged that Park Narae's ex-boyfriend received large sums of pay.
Allegations of illegal medical procedures have emerged as a key issue in this case. Park Narae is accused of receiving proxy-prescribed drugs, injections and IV treatments from nonmedical personnel at her home or overseas filming locations rather than at a hospital. Park Narae's camp explained it was a "house-call form of legitimate medical service," but the controversy grew uncontrollably when it became known that the person did not hold a domestic medical license.
Park Narae is currently facing a total of five complaints over manager power harassment and illegal medical acts, and she is pursuing one counterclaim against former managers for extortion. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency also officially confirmed, "There are five cases in which Park Narae was accused, and one complaint was filed by Park Narae's side."
In the end, Park Narae suspended all broadcasting activities, including MBC's I Live Alone, I Need You! Homes, and tvN's Amazing Saturday. However, even after the "final statement" at the center of the controversy, the situation has not calmed, and the association's calls for punishment and the investigation into the ex-boyfriend have added to the ripple effect, which continues to spread. Interest is focused on the investigation results and future responses.
[photo] "YouTube, SNS
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