At the close of the year, a major disaster struck the entertainment industry. From variety shows to the music scene, the devastated "Park Narae injector auntie gate" remains ongoing, so tensions cannot be relaxed.
The "injector auntie" controversy, revealed in the process of exposing Park Narae's alleged power abuse, is a large-scale scandal entwined with illegal medical procedures and alleged violations of the Narcotics Control Act, and it struck the entertainment industry in 2025. Although several controversies emerged in the entertainment industry like mushrooms after rain around the same time, the "injector auntie controversy" has become such a major incident that it is being called the "injector auntie gate," bringing not just surprise but shock.
Mr./Ms. A, the "injector auntie," is suspected of performing medical acts (injections, IV drips, etc.) for money without a Korean medical license, of arranging prescriptions or illegally obtaining and delivering and administering psychotropic drugs such as phentermine-class appetite suppressants, known as 'butterfly drugs,' to entertainers. As a result, the case expanded beyond a simple violation of the Medical Service Act to an alleged violation of the Narcotics Control Act.
A claims to have served as the first and youngest foreign and Chinese professor at the Fokang Medical University Hospital in Inner Mongolia. Despite lacking a domestic medical license, he is known to have visited entertainers' homes or officetels and performed injections in a "house call" format. It is suspected that he expanded his range of activities by flaunting friendships with many entertainers.
The "injector auntie gate" first hit the variety show world. Park Narae's former managers have halted all activities after being further accused, during revelations of alleged power abuse, of having received multiple procedures at home and in vehicles from the injector auntie and of having drugs prescribed on their behalf.
Stars who had ties with Park Narae by appearing on variety programs with her were implicated and suffered. Jung Jae-hyung, who mentioned an "IV drip" while making kimchi with Park Narae, dismissed it, saying, "I have no acquaintance or friendship," and Jun Hyun-moo, who showed himself receiving an IV in his car on I Live Alone, drew a line, saying, "Because there was not enough time in the shooting schedule, under a doctor's judgment we unavoidably moved while finishing treatment, and part of that process was exposed on the broadcast," and "All medical acts other than finishing the treatment were carried out in the hospital under the judgment and prescription of medical staff, and there was no instance of calling medical staff personally or receiving illegal procedures."
SHINee's Key apologized and halted activities, saying, "I visited a hospital in Gangnam where Mr. Lee works on a friend's recommendation and first learned of him as a doctor. I believed he was a doctor, and since he made no particular mention, I did not think receiving treatment at home would be a problem," and mukbang creator Ippjapneun Haetnim stopped activities, saying, "I first met him at a Gangnam hospital through a friend's introduction, so I believed without question that he was a doctor and received treatment; I believed A was actually a doctor. My failure to be more cautious and to act more prudently is my great fault, and I deeply reflect on it."
The music world is also suffering from the "injector auntie." Kang Minkyung of Davichi, reported to be on A's SNS following list, explained, "Because of the nature of social networks, it is difficult to know everyone following my account. But the matters you are worried about are entirely unrelated to me," and Hong Jin-young, whose friendly ties were suggested by a photo taken 12 years ago, drew a line, saying, "While doing singer activities over the years I have taken many photos at the request of various products, brands and hospitals for sponsorship verification, but the visit to the relevant hospital was so long ago that I cannot remember it."
Many entertainers have been swept up in allegations of friendly ties and repeatedly named as related figures, leading them to either acknowledge or refute them. The frightening thing is that the "injector auntie gate" is not over yet, and the entertainment industry is anxiously worrying whether they might have been included on the injector auntie's following list or whether they might have left a verification photo.
[OSEN]