A police investigation involving SHINee’s Key, comedian Park Narae and YouTuber Haetnim is reportedly approaching its final stage after authorities examined allegations surrounding unauthorized medical treatment.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, investigators questioned Key and Haetnim last month over allegations that include potential violations of South Korea’s Medical Service Act. Park Narae, who faces similar allegations, was previously summoned and questioned by police in May.
The case centers on a woman known publicly as “Injection Auntie,” who is accused of providing medical treatment outside a licensed medical facility. Authorities allege that she administered IV treatments and prescribed antidepressant medication despite allegedly lacking the necessary medical credentials.
Key and Haetnim have acknowledged receiving treatment from the woman. Both subsequently stepped away from their professional activities last year amid the controversy. Key later resumed his activities in April.
The investigation is currently being handled by the Gangnam Police Station, with investigators reportedly questioning the celebrities about whether they knew that “Auntie Lee” allegedly did not possess the required medical license.
A key issue for investigators is therefore not simply whether the treatment occurred, but what the individuals knew about the woman’s qualifications at the time they received treatment.
Police have also collected evidence through searches of Lee’s residence and vehicle. Those materials, together with the statements obtained from Key, Park Narae and Haetnim, are now being reviewed.
Authorities reportedly plan to conduct a legal review of the evidence before deciding how to conclude the case.
The latest development does not, by itself, indicate that any of the three celebrities have been found legally responsible for wrongdoing. The investigation remains focused on determining the circumstances surrounding the treatments and whether the applicable laws were violated.
For Key, the controversy has been particularly significant because he had already temporarily suspended activities before returning to the entertainment industry in April.
With police now moving toward a legal review, attention will turn to whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant further action or whether the case will ultimately be closed without charges.
The next decision from investigators could determine how the long-running controversy surrounding Key, Park Narae and Haetnim finally comes to an end.
