Comedian Park Narae's alleged abuse of power controversy has again reached a crossroads. With the release of a recorded phone call with a former manager, some quarters are showing sympathy, but at the same time there are many criticisms that the essence of the case is being obscured.
The recording at the center of the controversy is part of a call between Park Narae and former manager A on the early morning of the 8th of last month. In the recording recently released through a YouTube channel, A, choking up, said, "I don't know how it came to this," and "I didn't want it to go this far," and Park Narae also showed emotion. Remarks continued, worrying about the dog and the family's well-being and health, revealing the previously close relationship between the two.
Online reactions to the scene included, "The tone of the call is different from that between an abuse victim and a perpetrator," and "Isn't Park Narae the one who is wronged?" In fact, Park Narae's statement on social media immediately after the recording, saying "I cleared up misunderstandings with former managers," also lent weight to that interpretation.
But the former manager's side has a different position. A's side rebutted, saying, "There was a conversation, but there was no apology or agreement," and argued that it was just a call made based on emotion. Questions have also been raised over the release of the recording, such as, "Was it selectively released?" and "Only scenes favorable to public opinion were highlighted."
Above all, there is great concern that this controversy is being consumed only in the realm of emotion. The core of this matter is not whether their relationship was good or bad, but a legal determination issue of workplace harassment (abuse of power) and allegations of illegal medical practices.
The former managers are claiming verbal abuse, requiring them to be on standby at all times, nonpayment of wages and retirement pay, and failure to enroll in the four major social insurances against Park Narae, and are pursuing criminal complaints and civil lawsuits. Park Narae's side has also countersued on charges of attempted extortion and embezzlement, and the dispute over the truth has already moved into the domain of investigative agencies' judgment.
The allegation of illegal procedures and proxy prescriptions through the so-called "injection aunt" remains an unresolved issue. The police conducted a search and seizure related to the charge of unlicensed medical practice, and it has been suggested that Park Narae may be questioned as a witness or a suspect. Regardless of the tears in the recording or past familiarity, this matter could carry clear legal responsibility depending on the facts.
Park Narae is currently keeping silent and has suspended all broadcasting activities. It is true that that silence and the release of the recording have shifted public opinion in some ways, but there are many hurdles to overcome before interpreting this as a "sign of return."
In the end, the key is the results of the investigation, not emotional interpretation. A recording can sway public opinion, but it cannot replace the conclusion of the case. The Park Narae controversy is still ongoing, which is why reactions say it is getting off track between "sympathy" and "obscuring the essence."
[photo] SNS'
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