From news of entertainer Park Na Rae’s additional police investigation to singer Lee Seung Hwan demanding an apology from the Mayor of Gumi and comedian Park Min Young running for city council, we’ve gathered the major entertainment issues for the 11th.
■ Park Na Rae Faces Additional Police Investigation Over Allegations of Workplace Harassment and Illegal Medical Procedures
Entertainer Park Na Rae is set to undergo further police questioning.
According to a report by Star News on the 11th, Park Na Rae is facing additional investigations regarding charges including special injury, defamation, and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act and the Medical Service Act. The exact schedule for the investigation has not yet been confirmed.
Previously, Park Na Rae was embroiled in controversy after former managers alleged she received illegal medical procedures at her home and in her car via a “Injection Aunt.” In response, Park Na Rae sued her former managers for attempted extortion and professional embezzlement and has already completed her investigation as the accuser.
Park Na Rae has appeared before the police twice for questioning, stating at the time, “I cooperated sincerely with the investigation and answered truthfully.” She also apologized, adding, “I plan to correct any parts that are not true.”
■ Lee Seung Hwan Tells Gumi Mayor, “Apologize Like a Real Gyeongsang-do Man”
After partially winning a damages lawsuit against Gumi City and others for a canceled performance, singer Lee Seung Hwan has publicly demanded an apology from Gumi Mayor Kim Jang Ho.
On the 11th, Lee posted on his SNS, “As an older brother by four years, I’ll give you some advice. ‘Brother, I was wrong.’ That one honest sentence is all it takes.” He claimed, “If Mayor Kim Jang Ho apologizes, I will accept the entire first-instance ruling,” adding that “the waste of taxes, administrative resources, and the fall of trust should not be left unchecked.”
He also added, “I will not appeal against the defendant, Gumi City,” and “I will donate the entire compensation amount, excluding legal fees, to Gumi City’s ‘Our Dream-Light Youth Orchestra’.”
On the 8th, the Seoul Central District Court ruled partially in favor of Lee Seung Hwan and his agency, Dream Factory, in their lawsuit against Gumi City and Mayor Kim Jang Ho, ordering the city to pay a total of 125 million won in compensation.
The controversy began when Gumi City suddenly canceled Lee Seung Hwan’s concert scheduled for last December. The city cited safety concerns, including potential physical clashes with conservative groups, but Lee’s side protested, claiming the venue demanded a pledge not to make political statements.
■ Comedian Park Min Young Runs for City Council as Proportional Representative
Park Min Young, a former SBS public recruitment comedian, is running as a proportional representative candidate for the Seongnam City Council under the Democratic Party of Korea.
According to political circles on the 11th, candidate Park Min Young will run in the proportional representative election for the Seongnam City Council in Gyeonggi Province in the upcoming June 3 local elections. During the proportional primary, she expressed her ambition, stating, “I will prove myself with results, not showy politics.”
Park became well-known in 2014 through the “Extreme and Extreme – Sexy and Boyish” corner of the SBS open comedy program ‘Utchatsa’. Since then, she has expanded her career as an actress and a live commerce show host.
Regarding her entry into politics, she mentioned her experience with volunteer work over the past 10 years. Feeling the limitations of welfare and administration on the ground, she realized the need for systemic improvement and reportedly prepared for her run by majoring in political science at Yonsei University Graduate School. She currently serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea’s National Women’s Committee.
Previously, in 2022, Park appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Recent Olympics’ and recalled her time at ‘Utchatsa’, sharing her struggles: “It was hard because of the short and tight outfits,” and “I had no choice but to do it because my livelihood would be cut off if I just lay down.”
