At around the same time, entertainers Park Na-rae and Cho Sae-ho, who were mired in controversy, suspended their activities. But since then, the entertainment industry's atmosphere toward the two has been markedly different.
Park Na-rae's controversy has currently turned the entertainment industry upside down. From allegations of power harassment by a former manager to suspicions of illegal medical procedures, Park Na-rae faces the biggest crisis since her debut and is effectively at risk of being driven out of the entertainment industry.
On the 3rd, as former managers filed for a provisional seizure of real estate worth 100 million won against Park Na-rae at the Seoul Western District Court and power harassment allegations surfaced, Dispatch raised allegations of illegal medical practices by Park Na-rae such as "injection aunt." Park Na-rae released her position through her agency and a video, but because there was no apology or explanation, she faced greater criticism.
The Park Na-rae controversy did not remain an individual issue but spread across the entertainment industry. The "injection aunt" controversy was at the center, affecting those who had appeared on programs with Park Na-rae. Jung Jae-hyung, SHINee's Onew, Key, Jun Hyun-moo, Kang Min-kyung, and Ippjapgeun Haetnim were named in connection, and among them Key and Ippjapgeun Haetnim apologized and suspended activities.
After the controversy arose, Park Na-rae has not received support and continues to fight both former managers and allegations of illegal medical practices.
Cho Sae-ho was accused of accepting expensive gifts, promoting a franchise run by a member of an organized crime group, and socializing and drinking with a key figure in the largest violent organization in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province. The allegations surfaced through an SNS account that receives reports about various illegal criminals, and a photo of Cho Sae-ho taken with the individuals in question was also released, spreading the suspicions.
Cho Sae-ho's side said, "Cho Sae-ho and the individual are simply acquaintances, and the claim that he received gifts is also groundless," but Cho Sae-ho said, "I want to say that the allegations raised are completely untrue. I will take this as an opportunity for deep reflection and try to return with a more mature demeanor," and announced that he would step down from all broadcasts he was appearing on and suspend activities.
After Cho Sae-ho's departure, Yu Jae-seok, who had to host You Quiz on the Block alone, said, "Cho Sae-ho is leaving 'You Quiz' because of this incident. We've been together for a long time, and when I think that I actually have to host alone…" expressing regret at the absence of the "adorable" Cho Sae-ho. Yu Jae-seok added, "As he said himself, I hope this becomes a useful time for him to reflect on himself," he said.
Yu Jae-seok also supported Cho Sae-ho at the Pinggeugo ceremony. When Jun Seok-jin, Nam Chang-hee, and Yang Se-chan introduced Cho Sae-ho as a candidate for the grand prize and a VCR played, he said, "He couldn't attend today, but please give him a round of applause." Song Eun-yi also said, "Sae-ho worked hard," and applause naturally followed at the ceremony.
Park Na-rae and Cho Sae-ho share the common trait of being well-connected in the entertainment industry, but colleagues' reactions after they suspended activities are markedly different. Park Na-rae's controversy has grown beyond the entertainment industry into the medical field and society at large, leaving those connected to her no choice but to be fearful. Especially because the matter involves allegations of power harassment and illegal medical procedures, it has been difficult to find voices supporting Park Na-rae, while Cho Sae-ho's name has been mentioned publicly and he has received support.
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