Broadcaster Park Na-rae. [YouTube channel 'Baek Eun-young's Golden Time']
Broadcaster Park Na-rae. [YouTube channel 'Baek Eun-young's Golden Time']

Comedian Park Na-rae has been referred to prosecutors over gapjil allegations involving her former manager, while the manager has retained legal counsel to pursue the case.

Jang Hyeon-ho, a senior attorney at law firm Gangsim, announced Saturday through his YouTube channel "Jang Byeonho" that he had taken on the former manager as a client.

"The two sides' accounts are directly contradictory, and the evidence is murky in places, so there is considerable room for dispute — this is shaping up to be a fierce fight," Jang said. "I intend to do my utmost for the manager who has entrusted me with this case."

The former manager is believed to have chosen Jang as her representative after coming across a video he posted last January.

In that video, titled "The Manager Will Win in the End," Jang analyzed the dispute between Park and her former managers.

Jang estimated that Park would need to spend at least 500 million won ($332,000) in legal fees to defend herself against seven lawsuits and related proceedings.

He added: "When people fight over pride, only the lawyers make money. The lawyers will rake it in, the managers will walk away with maybe 100 or 200 million won, and Park will end up in prison or get a suspended sentence."

Two of Park's former managers filed a complaint against her last December, alleging aggravated assault, defamation through false statements, and violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.

They claimed Park had directed them to handle personal errands and various private requests — including tasks related to her family — effectively using them as household staff. They also alleged she threw a glass at a manager, causing injury.

Park denied the allegations, but the Seoul Gangnam Police Station referred her to prosecutors Friday on charges of aggravated assault and violations of the information and communications network law.

The Gangnam Police Station said it is continuing to investigate separate charges related to Park, including alleged violations of the Medical Service Act over claims that she received illegal medical procedures from a person known as "Nurse Aunt."


paq@heraldcorp.com