According to police on August 12, Gangnam Police Station (Seoul, South Korea) successively summoned Onew, Key (SHINee), Jeon Hyun Moo and YouTuber Haetnim for investigation. Previously, actress Park Narae was also summoned in the same case.
The investigation originated from a woman named Lee, who is suspected of not having a medical practice license but still providing treatment services to many celebrities. This person is called "infusion doctor" by the Korean media because she often comes to the place to take care of customers' health.
Police suspect that this woman had performed IV fluids, prescribed medicine and performed some medical activities in apartments, cars or unlicensed locations such as medical examination and treatment facilities.
After the case was expanded, the police successively verified people who were believed to have used the services of this woman. One of the issues that functional agencies focused on clarifying was whether the artists knew that the performer did not have a practicing license or not.
After the information that Onew was being investigated was announced, Griffin Entertainment, the male singer's management company, spoke out to explain.
The company said Onew once went to a hospital at the recommendation of an acquaintance for skin care treatment. At that time, the male singer believed that the person directly treating him was a doctor or medical staff of the hospital. Onew's side affirmed that he had no reason to suspect that this person did not have a practicing license or illegal treatment procedures.
Onew presented the matter truthfully during the investigation and fully cooperated with the authorities," Griffin Entertainment said.
The company also requested the public not to spread unconfirmed speculations while the police are still investigating the case.
Before Onew, Key and YouTuber Haetnim had admitted to receiving treatment from a woman named Lee. Both said they thought this person was a doctor and did not know she did not have a practicing license.
After the incident was exposed, Key and Haetnim temporarily stopped their activities. Key then returned to artistic activities with SHINee.
Park Narae was one of the first people mentioned in the case. Police have summoned the actress to clarify whether she ever received treatment from a woman surnamed Lee or what she knew about her professional qualifications.
MC Jeon Hyun Moo was also dragged into investigation after images of him being given intravenous fluids in a car in a 2016 program were shared again. The male MC affirmed that the treatment at that time was completely legal and had publicly disclosed medical records from that time.
Police are currently continuing to check the documents seized during the search of the residence and vehicle of the woman surnamed Lee, and compare them with the testimonies of related people.
According to Korean law, people without a license but performing medical examination and treatment may be penalized. Service users may also be held responsible if they know clearly that the other party is not qualified to practice but still proactively request to perform it.
However, the fact that artists such as Onew, Jeon Hyun Moo, Key, Haetnim or Park Narae were summoned by the police does not mean that they have been concluded to have violated the law. Functional agencies are still verifying each case before making a final conclusion.
The case continues to attract attention as the scope of investigation expands, leading to many artists and celebrities. The responsibility of each person will be determined based on the investigation results and evidence collected by the police.
