Comedian Park Na-rae / Courtesy of Anpark
Comedian Park Na-rae said Monday she will suspend all broadcasting activities amid escalating allegations of abuse against her former managers and claims she received illegal medical treatments.
Park, a prominent TV personality on MBC’s hit variety show “I Live Alone,” announced on social media that she had “decided to halt broadcasting activities until everything is clearly resolved,” saying she could not continue “causing trouble to the program and colleagues.”
MBC was quick to issue a statement to announce its decision to suspend her regular appearance on the show, citing “the gravity of the case and her intent to suspend broadcasting activities.”
The broadcaster also canceled production of the upcoming travel reality show “Nado Sinna” (“I Am Excited Too”), in which Park had been cast as one of four hosts for a January premiere, over the controversy.
The channel appears to have made the decision, despite having already filmed some portions, due to the program’s heavy reliance on Park.
The production team of tvN’s weekend variety show “Amazing Saturday” also said it would part ways with Park, stating that it “respects her decision.”
Park’s decision comes days after the 40-year-old star became embroiled in controversy when two former managers accused her of verbal abuse, physical assaults and making them perform tasks unrelated to her official schedules.
On Saturday, Park’s agency filed a countercomplaint with the police, alleging the two sought money through false claims and blackmail.
Park’s side also said it was preparing a separate complaint against at least one ex-manager for suspected embezzlement and denied allegations that she misused company funds for personal expenses.
The comedian said Monday she met with the former managers this week and resolved “misunderstandings and mistrust” between them but added she takes “full responsibility” for the situation and is “deeply reflecting.”
The dispute has widened after fresh claims surfaced that Park had received unauthorized injections and proxy prescriptions from an unlicensed practitioner known locally as “injection aunt.”
Lim Hyun-taek, former chair of the Korea Medical Association, which is the country’s largest doctors’ association, filed a separate complaint against the unlicensed practitioner on Monday, while naming Park as a suspected accomplice.
The controversy has cast a shadow over Park’s high-profile career as one of Korea’s most successful female comedians.
Park debuted as a comedian in 2006 and has since risen to become a household name in the country’s entertainment industry. She won the Grand Prize at the 2019 MBC Entertainment Awards and the Best Female Variety Performer from the 2020 Baeksang Arts Awards.