The agency representing Onew of the K-pop group SHINee, Griffin Entertainment, released an official statement to clarify the artist’s connection to a controversial figure known as “Jusa-i-mo” (Injection Aunt), who is at the center of allegations involving comedian Park Na-rae.
The public statement was issued to definitively address and dispel growing speculation about Onew’s involvement in the escalating scandal, which primarily concerns illegal medical practices.
Clarification on Onew’s Relationship
The core of the controversy stems from the individual, referred to as Ms. A or “Jusa-i-mo,” being accused of performing illegal medical services without a proper Korean license, including administering IV drips and obtaining proxy prescriptions for medications like antidepressants.
Following the outbreak of the scandal involving Park Na-rae, past social media posts by Ms. A surfaced online, which included a photo of a signed SHINee album gifted by Onew.
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This post led to widespread speculation that Onew may have maintained a close personal relationship with Ms. A or received illegal services from her.
Griffin Entertainment explicitly drew a line regarding any illegal activities, confirming the following facts:
- Initial Meeting and Purpose: Onew first visited the clinic in Sinsa-dong where Ms. A worked in April 2022 based on a recommendation from an acquaintance.
- Nature of Visit: The purpose of Onew’s visit to the clinic was strictly for skin care purposes.
- Unawareness of Controversy: The agency stressed that given the size and scale of the hospital at the time of the visit, Onew was unaware of the medical license controversy that is now being discussed online. This suggests the controversy surrounding Ms. A’s credentials emerged after Onew’s visit.
- Signed CD: The autographed CD with a handwritten message from Onew, which had been posted online, was simply an “expression of gratitude for the treatment received” at the clinic and did not signify a deeper personal or professional relationship beyond that of a client and a clinic staff member.
Regret Over Baseless Speculation
In their statement, Onew’s agency expressed strong regret over the situation. They stated,
“We deeply regret the indiscriminate spread and reproduction of stories that are not based on fact regarding our artist.”
The agency also asked the public and media to refrain from generating further speculation, asserting their commitment to protecting the artist’s reputation and rights:
“We hope that no further speculation will arise, and we will continue to do our utmost to protect our artist’s honor and rights.”
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Background of the Park Na-rae Scandal
Onew’s clarification comes amidst a much larger controversy surrounding popular comedian and TV personality Park Na-rae, who had already been facing allegations of workplace harassment, assault, and embezzlement filed by two of her former managers.
During this legal dispute, allegations surfaced that Park Na-rae had repeatedly received illegal medical services, such as IV infusions and proxy prescriptions, from Ms. A (the “Jusa-i-mo”), who is alleged to not possess a valid Korean medical license.
The Korean Medical Association has since filed a complaint, urging a thorough investigation into the alleged unlicensed medical practice and illegal distribution of drugs.
Park Na-rae, who is currently on a hiatus from broadcasting, has denied the illegal medical practice claims, stating she only received nutrient injections from licensed professionals during house calls due to her busy schedule.
The entire scandal has created widespread unrest across the Korean entertainment industry, prompting other celebrities, including SHINee’s Key, to also face scrutiny after their potential links to Ms. A were exposed online through social media posts.
