What’s Happening With My Favorite K-Variety Shows?
Hey everyone! You might have noticed some major shake-ups on your favorite Korean variety shows lately, and there’s a pretty serious reason why. A massive scandal, nicknamed the ‘Jusaimo’ (주사이모) or ‘Injection Auntie’ controversy, is sweeping through the entertainment industry, and it all revolves around a woman who was allegedly giving celebrities IV drips and other treatments illegally. This whole thing blew up starting with one of Korea’s most famous female comedians, Park Na-rae, and has now impacted the casts of super popular shows like MBC’s ‘I Live Alone’ and tvN’s ‘Amazing Saturday’.
So, Who Is This ‘Injection Auntie’?
Okay, so ‘Jusaimo’ basically means ‘Injection Auntie’ in Korean. It refers to a woman who allegedly provided celebrities with medical services like IV drips and even prescription drugs in their homes or other non-medical locations. [5, 9] The huge problem is that she’s reportedly not a licensed doctor in Korea. According to reports from news outlets like Dispatch, the woman doesn’t have a medical license; she has a cooking license and previously worked as a sales director for plastic surgery clinics. Even though she apparently claimed to be a professor at a medical university in Mongolia, that doesn’t allow her to legally practice medicine in Korea. [3, 9] The Korean Medical Association has called for an investigation into her for illegal medical acts.
Which Stars Are Caught Up in This?
The scandal has already led to several high-profile celebrities halting their careers. It started with comedian Park Na-rae, a key member of ‘I Live Alone’ and ‘Amazing Saturday’. She’s currently being investigated by police and has stepped down from all her shows. [8, 16]
Soon after, SHINee’s Key, who is a beloved cast member on both of those shows, also got swept up in the controversy. His agency, SM Entertainment, released a statement admitting that Key received treatments at home from the woman, but said he was introduced to her at a hospital and believed she was a real doctor. [12, 17] Recognizing how serious this is, Key has apologized for his ‘ignorance’ and decided to step down from all his shows. [13, 17]
And it doesn’t stop there. Popular mukbang YouTuber Ipjjalbeunhaetnim (입짧은햇님), another ‘Amazing Saturday’ cast member, also announced she was suspending all activities. She explained that, like Key, she met the woman through an acquaintance and believed she was a doctor, and has deeply apologized. [3, 18]
Even Jeon Hyun-moo, the main host of ‘I Live Alone’, came under suspicion when an old clip from 2016 resurfaced showing him getting an IV drip in a car. However, his agency quickly clarified that the treatment was legally prescribed and administered by a licensed professional from a hospital, and he has no connection to the ‘Jusaimo’ scandal.
What Does This Mean for the Shows?
Losing multiple key cast members like Park Na-rae and Key at once is a huge blow to both ‘I Live Alone’ and ‘Amazing Saturday’. These shows rely on the chemistry of their fixed members, so their sudden departure leaves a massive hole. Netizens are now buzzing with speculation, wondering if other celebrities who are close to the ones involved might also be investigated. It’s a really messy situation, and it feels like we’re just seeing the beginning of the fallout. We’ll have to wait and see what the police investigation uncovers next.
