What’s a Mukbang Star and Who is Haetnim?
For anyone new here, a ‘mukbang’ is a huge trend in Korea where creators eat large amounts of food on camera while talking to their audience. Haetnim, whose YouTube name is “Short Mouth Haetnim” (입짧은햇님), is one of the OG queens of the mukbang world. With over 1.76 million subscribers before this whole thing blew up, she was famous for her down-to-earth personality and appearing on the popular TV show “Amazing Saturday.”
The “Injection Auntie” Scandal Explained
Okay, so here’s the tea. A person dubbed “Jusai Imo” (주사이모), which literally means “Injection Auntie,” has been illegally giving medical treatments and prescriptions to celebrities without a license. This controversy first blew up around other celebs from “Amazing Saturday,” like comedian Park Na-rae and SHINee’s Key. Recently, reports revealed that Haetnim was also one of her clients. Allegations claim she not only received illegal treatments like IV drips at her home but also got diet pills suspected to be a controlled substance. A media outlet even released text messages where the “Injection Auntie” claimed Haetnim lost 30kg using her diet pills.
Haetnim’s Apology and Subscriber Exodus
Initially, Haetnim denied the more serious allegations, admitting only to getting a prescription for a “de-bloating” pill from a clinic where the “Auntie” worked. However, as the pressure mounted, she posted a formal apology. She admitted that the practitioner had come to her house for treatments, which she didn’t realize was illegal. She stated, “I should have been more careful and prudent… this is my great fault, and I am deeply reflecting.” Following this, she announced she would be stopping all activities and stepping down from her programs. Her fans did *not* take it well. Her subscriber count, which was around 1.76 million, plummeted to 1.71 million, a loss of about 50,000 subscribers in a very short time.
What Happens Next?
This isn’t just online drama; it has real legal consequences. A formal complaint has been filed against Haetnim for violating the Medical Service Act and the Narcotics Control Act. The case has reportedly been assigned to the Seoul Mapo Police Station’s narcotics crime investigation team. For now, one of Korea’s top mukbangers is off the air, and her future is totally uncertain. It’s a huge blow to her image and a reminder of how quickly things can change for even the most popular YouTubers here.
