SHINee's Key Under Scrutiny Amid 'Jusai-imo' Controversy; Fans Await Official Statement

SHINee member Key has become the subject of intense speculation following allegations of a close relationship with comedian Park Na-rae's associate, known as 'Jusai-imo,' and his continued silence on the matter is drawing significant attention.

Key is currently in the midst of his North American tour, 'Keyland in USA,' with fans sharing glimpses of his performances on social media. Simultaneously, the demand for Key to clarify his alleged connection with 'Jusai-imo' is growing.

'Jusai-imo,' identified as individual A, gained notoriety in connection with illegal medical practice allegations against Park Na-rae. Recently, amid accusations of '갑질' (gapjil - power abuse) and unregistered business operations against Park Na-rae by former managers, individual A was implicated as a party involved in illegal medical activities.

Individual A had claimed on personal social media to be a graduate of Inner Mongolia Fuhua Medical University. However, medical associations in Korea have asserted that A is not a licensed medical professional in Korea, and that the aforementioned university is a fictitious institution, often referred to as a 'ghost university.' This has fueled suspicions that A may have been practicing without a license.

Notably, individual A has been known to follow numerous celebrities on social media and has flaunted connections within the entertainment industry. Controversy arose particularly when photos of Key's home environment were posted, and statements emphasizing a decade-long acquaintance with Key's pet dogs, Comme des Garçons, surfaced.

However, the prevailing industry consensus suggests that A's social media follows were merely one-sided and meaningless gestures. Singer Jung Jae-hyung, for instance, when faced with similar rumors during his appearance on the MBC variety show 'I Live Alone' (Na Hon-ja Sanda) while helping Park Na-rae with kimchi making, explicitly denied any acquaintance through his agency, stating, 'We have never met.'

The core issue remains the silence from both Key and his agency, SM Entertainment, who have yet to release an official statement. Given Key's reputation for articulate communication and self-expression on various variety shows, including 'I Live Alone,' his reticence regarding the 'Jusai-imo' controversy is perceived as difficult to comprehend by many.

Despite this, a segment of Key's fanbase continues to await an official statement from both Key and his agency. They speculate that due to his ongoing North American tour and contractual obligations with overseas concert promoters, the situation is sensitive, making it difficult to comment publicly at this juncture.

In the meantime, the production team of 'I Live Alone' has released a preview for Key's upcoming episode, implying that his appearance on the show is not problematic. This further intensifies anticipation for an official announcement from Key and SM Entertainment.

Korean netizens have expressed a range of reactions, with comments like, 'Why are they making such a big deal out of this for Key?', 'He's on tour, releasing a statement would just stir things up more, so he's probably waiting,' and 'SM, you're being frustrating, announce something quickly.'