Comedian Park Narae has been at the center of a spreading controversy over the "injection auntie," and reactions suggest that former managers' revelations may have actually protected Park Narae's health and life.
On the 2nd episode of SBS's Curious Story Y, the program focused on allegations that Park Narae received illegal medical procedures from a person without a medical license. According to the broadcast, that person, called the "injection auntie," is alleged to have visited Park Narae's home or performed injection procedures at their residence. There were also allegations that the person continuously provided and managed daily medications.
Park Narae's side explained at the time that these were nutritional supplements, but the broadcast reported that some drugs appeared to be appetite suppressants (commonly called "butterfly pills") classified as narcotics and that several injectables appeared to have been administered indiscriminately. Medical experts noted that if a nonmedical person mixed drugs for injection or had someone take antipsychotic drugs without a prescription, it could be a matter that threatens life.
There was also a claim that the key figure in the controversy, the "injection auntie," introduced themself as the director of a Korean plastic surgery center at a hospital in China and as a specially appointed professor. However, when the production team directly contacted the hospital, they were told "there is no doctor by that name," and the person was not found on the official medical staff list, domestic medical licenses, or Korean Medical Association Organization registration records.
In particular, that person is reported to have built trust by using business cards bearing the title "representative" at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam, Seoul. The clinic director protested, saying, "That person is not a doctor, and at first introduced themself as someone who brings in overseas patients. We only provided office space and did not know medical procedures were being performed," expressing indignation.
Another issue is how antipsychotic drugs that cannot be obtained without a prescription were distributed. The broadcast raised the possibility that false prescriptions were issued at several hospitals. A patient who said they had been treated in the past testified, "I went to get Botox, and the person said they were a doctor and offered to perform the procedure personally. They emphasized connections with celebrities, which made me trust them."
The allegation is that within this relationship of trust, the "injection auntie" was gradually called a "doctor" and continued illegal medical practices. The medical association said, "That prescription drugs were illegally distributed shows a gap in health authorities' oversight," noting, "If drug management is only tightened, much of this can be prevented."
Earlier, Park Narae suspended activities after former managers' revelations revealed circumstances that injections were administered and drugs were obtained without prescriptions at places other than hospitals. The fallout grew when broadcaster and close friend Short Mouth Sun admitted to receiving medical procedures from that person.
Some internet users responded, "The exposure stopped illegal procedures that could have led to a major accident," and "the revelations ultimately saved Park Narae's life." On the other hand, cautious voices continued, saying, "The facts must be clearly determined through investigation and inquiry."
As allegations of medical impersonation and illegal procedures spread into structural problems across the entertainment industry, attention is turning to whether this case can become an opportunity to raise awareness about illegal medical practices beyond a simple personal controversy.<
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]