Comedian Park Na-rae has come under fire after revelations surfaced that she received intravenous treatments outside of a medical facility from a so-called “injection aunt,” a slang term that refers to people who administer injections without proper prescriptions or licenses. The controversy has reignited nationwide scrutiny over the widespread but underground practice of illegal home IV services in South Korea.
The individual in question, known as A, responded to the allegations on December 7 through a social media post, claiming that he studied in difficulty in Inner Mongolia more than a decade ago. Another claimed to have been the youngest professor both locally and internationally at a hospital affiliated with Inner Mongolia’s “Pogang Medical University” and claimed to be involved in attracting a Korean plastic surgery center with the help of Chinese officials.
A confirmed the claims by sharing photos in doctor’s scrubs and video interviews with local media. However, the post was quickly deleted after attracting a wave of comments asking whether A held a valid medical license in Korea.
Korean medical professionals immediately objected. A group called Doctors for a Fair Society released a statement calling the so-called university nonexistent, labeling it a “ghost medical school.” Even if A graduated from a Chinese institution, they pointed out that Chinese medical graduates are not eligible for Korea’s national medical licensing exam. Therefore, A’s actions clearly violate Korean law.
Illegal “visit injection” services have long existed in the shadows, often promoted via online forums and word of mouth. Posts on a popular internet cafe with millions of members recount experiences such as “They got the flu shot in church” or “They locked the store door to give the IV.” Advertisements for services such as “Garlic, Glutathione, Cinderella and Placenta IV for 100,000 KRW per session, Seoul only” also appear regularly.
This issue has sparked controversy in the past. In 2018, a fire victim in Cheonho-dong, Seoul, was found to be relying on illegal injections. In October 2020, unlicensed and unprescribed IV services led to a COVID-19 infection cluster. Experts have warned that such unregulated procedures pose serious risks to patient safety and public health. They point out that the exact effects of the injected substances are difficult to monitor and the lack of hygiene and quality controls make these acts dangerous crimes rather than simple medical shortcuts.
This scandal follows closely on the heels of allegations of abuse involving Park’s former managers, which surfaced on December 3. The new allegations on Dec. 6 allege that A, the so-called injection aunt, frequently visited Park to administer IVs and even prescribe antidepressants. Shockingly, A is said to have accompanied Park during overseas programs as well.
In response, Park Na-rae’s agency said: “We believed the individual was a licensed doctor. There was no illegal medical practice. Park was only receiving IVs via house calls and have not been in contact for some time now.”
Sources: Daum
