The controversy surrounding comedian Park Na Rae’s alleged abuse of power has once again reached a crossroads. With the release of a transcript of a phone call with her former manager, sympathy for her has emerged in some quarters, but at the same time, there are significant concerns that “the essence of the case is being obscured.”
The transcript at the center of the controversy is part of a phone call between Park Na Rae and former manager A in the early hours of the 8th of last month. In the recently released recording on YouTube, A chokes up, saying, “I don’t know how it came to this,” and “I didn’t want it to go this far,” while Park Na Rae also shows emotion. Their conversation about pets, family well-being, and health reveals the closeness of their past relationship.
Online reactions to this scene have included comments like “This doesn’t sound like a conversation between a victim and an abuser,” and “Isn’t Park Na Rae the one who’s wronged?” Indeed, Park Na Rae herself strengthened this interpretation by announcing on social media shortly after the recording was made that she had “cleared up misunderstandings with her former managers.”
However, the former manager’s side tells a different story. A’s camp disputes that there was any apology or agreement, saying the conversation was merely an exchange of emotions. Questions have also been raised about whether the recording was selectively released and if only parts favorable to public opinion were highlighted.
Above all, there is great concern that this controversy is being reduced to matters of emotion alone. The core issue is not whether their relationship was good or bad, but the legal matter of workplace bullying (abuse of power) and allegations of illegal medical procedures.
The former managers are currently pursuing criminal and civil lawsuits against Park Na Rae, claiming verbal abuse, forced standby duty, unpaid wages and severance, and failure to enroll in the four major social insurances. Park Na Rae has counter-sued on charges of attempted extortion and embezzlement. The battle over the truth has already moved into the hands of investigative authorities.
Adding to that is the unresolved issue of illegal medical procedures and proxy prescriptions allegedly conducted through a figure nicknamed the “injection auntie.” The police have conducted raids related to unlicensed medical practices, and Park Na Rae is expected to be questioned either as a witness or as a suspect. Regardless of the tears in the transcript or past friendships, clear legal responsibility may follow depending on the facts.
Currently, Park Na Rae has halted all her broadcasting activities and remains silent. While that silence and the release of the transcript have shifted public opinion somewhat, it is premature to interpret this as a “signal for a comeback,” as many hurdles remain.
Ultimately, the key issue is not emotional interpretation but the results of the investigation. While the transcript may sway public opinion, it cannot replace the conclusion of the case. The Park Na Rae controversy is ongoing, and this is why there are reactions saying that it is still losing direction and going off track amid calls of sympathy and attempts to obscure the core issue.
