As comedian Park Na-rae halts activities amid multiple controversies, MBC variety show I Live Alone unveiled a new guest — but public reaction is notably chilly.
On December 10, the official I Live Alone social media account posted photos alongside a caption written from the perspective of the character Wilson. In a space filled with baseballs and uniforms, producers teased, "Do you know whose house I'm at right now?" They then revealed, "It's the home of Kim Ha-seong — the first Korean winner of the MLB Gold Glove and a three-time KBO Golden Glove honoree."
Producers hyped it up with, "Check out the flashy lifestyle on this Friday's broadcast," but viewers were split. Some pushed back with comments like, "Can you read the room?" and "This isn't the time," questioning whether such promotion was appropriate immediately after the Park Na-rae scandal.
Previously, Park Na-rae became the center of controversy following accusations from former managers and additional suspicions of illegal medical procedures. The ex-managers claimed, "We were forced to run personal errands and were verbally abused for not drinking," and alleged issues with production expense payments, filing complaints accusing Park of special injury, workplace bullying, and defamation.
Park's side countered by filing extortion charges, claiming, "The managers demanded 10% of the company's revenue." Another allegation surfaced that Park received injections and medication from an unlicensed acquaintance. Park's camp responded, "We believed the person had a medical license," adding, "It was only nutritional IVs — any claims about sleeping pills or propofol are completely false."
As the uproar grew, MBC producers announced on December 8 that, "We did not take the matter lightly," and, after internal discussions, decided to suspend Park Na-rae's appearances. Park also stated, "Everything is my fault," and personally announced her withdrawal from all broadcasts and a halt to activities.
With Park Na-rae's departure freshly in effect after nine years as a key member of the program, the mood around I Live Alone teasing Kim Ha-seong's episode — and the gap with viewers' sentiment — is expected to continue for the time being.