Comedian Park Na-rae's strategy for dealing with the series of controversies is puzzling. It appears focused on conflict with her former manager, while there has been no notable action regarding the allegedly more serious 'doctor aunt' matter.
On March 3, Park Na-rae's abuse-of-power controversy and the doctor aunt gate were revealed to the public. More than a month later, Park Na-rae appeared at Yongsan Police Station on the 14th and is reported to have undergone a high-intensity second investigation lasting about six hours until early the next morning, and former manager A underwent a first victim interview at Yongsan Police Station on the 22nd of last month before departing for the United States.
Former managers targeted Park Na-rae's morality and transparency. Allegations of tax evasion and embezzlement are seen as a strategy to damage Park Na-rae's morality beyond a simple tax issue; they alleged that her mother and acquaintances received salaries without actual work and emphasized that Park Na-rae's handling of funds was opaque. They also claimed workplace harassment by saying she had sexual relations with an ex-boyfriend inside a moving vehicle, arguing the work environment was poor. On settlement issues, they increased the intensity of revelations by reinforcing a frame that treatment of on-site staff was unfair compared with the huge revenue Park Na-rae earned.
Park Na-rae's camp is defending against the former managers' revelations and attacks with practical proof and appeals to emotion. Regarding tax allegations, they emphasized that Park Na-rae's mother and acquaintances performed substantive work such as promotional activities and content production support, arguing legal legitimacy. They also stressed that the ex-boyfriend, a business administration major, handled accounting and contract work, and that he was paid rightful compensation for his labor.
A report emerged that A embezzled 30 million won in event fees. This is important information that could support Park Na-rae's camp's claim against A for embezzlement: that 30 million won in brand event fees, which should have been paid to Park Na-rae's one-person agency Anpark, was transferred to a YYAC account established by A.
After learning of the matter belatedly, Park Na-rae's camp sued A, and A explained, "It was carried out after already consulting with Park Na-rae." A said everything was carried out with Park Na-rae's confirmation and emphasized that this matter was the same answer given during police questioning on the 20th of last month. Regarding the part about being paid to YYAC instead of Anpark, he withheld comment, saying, "This is definitely not embezzlement. I want to leave that to the investigative authorities."
The so-called 'Park Na-rae series of controversies,' which began when former managers exposed Park Na-rae's abuse-of-power on March 3, has been in a loop of revelations and explanations for a month. With focus on the abuse-of-power controversy, the doctor aunt allegation, which could be more serious and even criminally punishable, has been essentially buried. Park Na-rae says she was deceived if she believed the doctor aunt was a "doctor," but she has not taken corresponding action.
One lawyer explained that "if it is a first offense, a suspended sentence is often given, so the person may or may not go to prison," noting that actual imprisonment is possible. Even if she clears the abuse-of-power allegations, if she cannot properly explain the doctor aunt allegation, her chances of returning will become more distant, making Park Na-rae's strategy worth watching.
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