Park Mi-sun's group buy controversy, she emphasized "sharing something good" but faced backlash… the issue was not "selling" but "trust"
Broadcaster Park Mi-sun, who is battling breast cancer, launched a joint purchase of health supplements and became embroiled in fiercer controversy than expected. Despite pleas to "consult your attending physician" and the explanation that "I shared what I thought was good," some netizens raised the level of criticism, calling it irresponsible. On the other hand, voices defending her that this should be seen as a return to daily life during recovery also followed, leaving public opinion sharply divided.
On the 20th, Park Mi-sun posted on her social media, "The most important thing while being sick was eating well. But choosing and eating good things was not as easy as I thought," and announced a joint purchase of blueberry concentrate. She also released a video showing herself taking the product. Fans who saw it poured out worries such as "Don't do stressful things, focus only on treatment" and "Shouldn't rest come first?" Park Mi-sun candidly explained the reason she started the group buy, saying, "I'm bored from doing nothing," and "I'm very happy now."
But the reaction soon sharpened. Criticisms followed, including "Does someone who has nothing to be lacking now start a business?" "It's unfortunate to sell something like this during chemotherapy," "I heard berries are bad for breast cancer," and "I supported you but is this a group buy after all?" Park Mi-sun communicated directly in the comments, explaining, "Chemotherapy is over and now I am in a rest period," "I ate it, but patients should definitely consult their attending physician," and "I'm tired of always doing nothing."
But another controversy flared at this point. Some netizens expressed concern, saying, "It's irresponsible for an influential person to only tell people to 'consult'," and "She says it was good for her but it looks like she's shifting the judgment onto patients."
In particular, in the sensitive situation of battling cancer, it was pointed out that telling fellow patients who have the same disease "I ate it and it was good" along with advising "consult your attending physician" could simultaneously cause greater confusion. During chemotherapy, people who experience dietary restrictions or liver enzyme issues are subject to a celebrity's experience carrying influence beyond mere information.
On the other hand, there were also many voices of support. Comments of encouragement included, "She has lived diligently her whole life, let her do what she wants," "It could be a desire to share something good," and "It's nice to see her trying to return to daily life as she recovers."
As the controversy grew, Park Mi-sun issued another statement on the 21st. She bowed her head and said, "Thank you for worrying and scolding me. I started this as I tried to slowly return to daily life after finishing treatment, and I apologize if it made anyone uncomfortable." At the same time, she conveyed that she would continue the group buy itself, saying, "I clearly thought it was good and shared it." However, she reiterated, "Patients must decide after consulting their attending physician."
But this point instead split reactions. Emphasizing "something good" brought more backlash. The public's anger seemed to stem less from the act of selling goods than from issues of trust. Park Mi-sun was not a simple seller; she had revealed her cancer battle and shared her recovery time with many. The remark that "the most important thing while being sick was eating well" sounded like her personal experience. Once the treatment experience is disclosed, the story moves from a personal domain to one of trust. When trust exists, greater responsibility inevitably follows.
The discomfort some felt in this controversy arose precisely at this point. Some argue that it is not the return to daily life announcing recovery that is the problem, but that the method looked like "selling under the guise of health." Of course, a group buy is a personal choice and can be part of one's private life. However, because of her celebrity status and the sensitive situation of fighting cancer, Park Mi-sun's choice was placed under a stricter lens.
As views that the joint purchase started during treatment represents a "return to daily life toward recovery" clash with views that she "should have considered her responsibilities as a public figure more," public opinion about Park Mi-sun's actions remains divided. The atmosphere is one where voices are more concerned with "what kind of trust relationship did she stand on with people" than "what she sold."
[Photo] SNS
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