A former manager who had been in conflict with comedian Park Na-rae was arrested, prompting speculation that her return to the entertainment industry could accelerate.
On the 16th, the Yongsan police station in Seoul arrested Park Na-rae's former manager, identified as A, on charges including attempted extortion. He is expected to be handed over to the prosecution on the 21st, and another manager, B, who had been in conflict with Park Na-rae, will be referred to the prosecution without detention.
According to the police, A is accused of telling Park Na-rae that he would expose false information that she had used company funds privately for an ex-boyfriend and others, and demanding an amount equal to 10% of the company's 2024 revenue. The police are also reported to be investigating A on suspicion of embezzling about 30 million won of company funds.
Park Na-rae's side told OSEN, "I heard that former manager A was arrested on the 16th. The police plan to hand the case over to the prosecution. I understand he is currently detained in a correctional facility."
Park Na-rae's former managers, on Dec. 3 of last year, filed for provisional seizure of real estate worth about 100 million won at the Seoul Western District Court, alleging workplace harassment, proxy prescriptions, and unpaid production fees, and later filed a complaint with the Gangnam police station in Seoul accusing Park Na-rae of special injury, defamation by publicly alleging false facts, and violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.
Park Na-rae filed a criminal complaint against her former managers for attempted extortion and additionally sued them on suspicion of embezzlement in the course of business, and she was questioned by the police twice. After completing police questioning in February, Park Na-rae said, "I acted sincerely and answered truthfully," but avoided specific comments on the managers' allegations of abuse of power and incidents such as throwing a drinking glass, saying those were matters "to be revealed through investigation." After a seven-hour second questioning, she said, "I answered the questions sincerely. I think it will be revealed through the investigation. I am sorry for causing concern."
At the start of the conflict, the controversy had been unfolding as reciprocal exposés, but it entered a new phase when A was arrested. That has led to reactions suggesting public opinion toward Park Na-rae might turn around, and even speculation that her comeback could gain momentum.
However, analysts say it is premature to discuss Park Na-rae's return to the entertainment industry. The conflict with the former manager has not yet been resolved, and the so-called "drunken aunt" controversy still remains. Previously, Park Na-rae herself said she would stop broadcasting activities "until everything is resolved," so it is still too early to discuss whether she will return. That said, the arrest of the former manager has accelerated the investigation and increased the possibility.
The conflict between Park Na-rae and her former managers, which began as a mutual exchange of accusations, has now become a case of attempted extortion and embezzlement. Attention is focused on whether Park Na-rae can use this as an opportunity to resolve all suspicions and return before viewers.
[OSEN]