Mukbang creator Ipjjalbeun Haetnim (real name Kim Mi-kyung) has been embroiled in allegations of illegal medical prescriptions by the so-called "injection aunt" and her YouTube subscriber count has noticeably declined.
On the afternoon of the 18th, Dispatch reported that the "injection aunt gate," which began with broadcaster Park Na-rae, spread to SHINee's Key and then to Ipjjalbeun Haetnim. According to the outlet, since around 2023 Ipjjalbeun Haetnim has been accused of receiving from a person surnamed A, referred to as the "injection aunt," illegal provision of psychotropic medicines for dieting purposes and of receiving IV drips. A is known to be a person without medical licensure.
Regarding this, Ipjjalbeun Haetnim told Dispatch, "I did receive a decongestant at the hospital where A worked," but denied the allegations, saying, "It has nothing to do with diet drugs or IV drips." However, Dispatch released KakaoTalk conversations between A and Park Na-rae's former manager B and claimed that Ipjjalbeun Haetnim may also have been involved in the matter.
In the released conversation, A reportedly mentioned the efficacy of the drug, saying Ipjjalbeun Haetnim succeeded in losing 30kg using the diet medicine A provided. The outlet added that there were indications the drugs circulated by A leaving the drugs with Ipjjalbeun Haetnim, whose manager then passed them to Park Na-rae's former manager B. However, Ipjjalbeun Haetnim's side repeatedly denied illegal medical procedure allegations, saying, "I only received a decongestant."
As the controversy spread, public reaction quickly appeared in the change in subscriber numbers. As of 3 p.m. on the 18th, Ipjjalbeun Haetnim's YouTube channel subscribers decreased from 1.76 million to 1.75 million, an estimated drop of about 10,000. The change occurred in only about eight hours after the report.
With Ipjjalbeun Haetnim's side not issuing further statements, internet users have left consecutive comments on her YouTube and social media channels demanding explanations. Critical and disappointed reactions continue, such as "Is it right that she posted videos despite the allegations?", "Didn't she say she lost weight through exercise?", and "She had barely recovered after past undisclosed advertising controversies, so this is disappointing."
Meanwhile, the "injection aunt" allegations have grown in scope since Park Na-rae, with SHINee's Key and Ipjjalbeun Haetnim being named in succession, amplifying the fallout. Most of those involved deny the allegations, but the controversy does not appear likely to die down easily.<
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