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Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | Rajab 30, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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K-pop star Key admits to getting illegal medical procedures, steps down from shows
This comes as an unlicensed medical practitioner knows as 'injection auntie' is currently being exposed in South Korea for fraudulent practices
Popular K-pop star Key, from the boy group Shinee, has admitted that he received illegal medical treatment from a woman known in South Korea as 'injection auntie'. The matter came to light after photos of the singer's dog and text chats between him and the unlicensed medical practitioner were reportedly seen on the latter's Instagram account.
Key's agency, SM entertainment, released a statement clarifying that the singer did not know that the woman (referred to in the statement as Ms.Lee) was unlicensed at the time of receiving the treatment.
Confused and sorry
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"On an acquaintance’s recommendation, Key visited a hospital located in Gangnam where Ms. Lee works and was first introduced to her as a doctor," the company said. "Key continued to receive treatment at that hospital, and on several recent occasions when visiting the hospital was difficult, he received medical care at home. Believing Ms. Lee to be a physician — and with Ms. Lee offering no indication to the contrary — Key did not realize that receiving care at home could be problematic."
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The statement went on to say that on discovering that 'Ms.Lee' did not have a medical licence, the singer was "extremely confused and (was) deeply reflecting on his own lack of awareness."
The company then said that Key has decided to withdraw from the progammes on which he is currently appearing.
Key took to Instagram to release his own statement and apology. After saying, as his company did, that he was very confused and "flustered" by the facts, he said, " I had always prided myself on being able to distance myself from such issues, but I feel incredibly sorry and ashamed toward the many people who trusted and supported me."
"Once again, I am truly sorry," he concluded.
This comes after fellow Shinee member Onew's agency released a statement following rumours about his own involvement with the 'injection auntie'. In his case too, the agency — Griffin Entertainment — said that Onew did not know the clinic was illegal and simply received skin treatments there.
Park Na Rae, criminal cases and controversy
The illegal medical practices run by the woman known as 'injection auntie' came to light after a report by Korean media organisation Dispatch. In the report, it was revealed that comedian Park Na Rae received illegal medical services from unlicensed woman. The celebrity's agency has denied the allegations and is involved in a countersuit.
However, Park's troubles go beyond the illegal medical practices, as she is currently caught up in another major controversy — a workplace harassment and embezzlement criminal case brought by her former managers. According to South Korean media, the managers claim that she used her company's money for personal reasons, has unpaid production costs and assaulted her coworkers.
The comedian has stepped down from the various shows she was working on, and has released a statement saying that she is dealing with the allegations legally, and cannot comment while procedures are ongoing.
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