Recently, a video shared by Ms. Lee on her Instagram has been circulating across various online communities, drawing significant attention. In the video, Ms. Lee is seen interacting with Key's dogs, a brown poodle named 'Comme Des' and a gray poodle named 'Garçons.'
The interior of the house in the video, including the placement of mirrors and plants, matches the layout of Key's home as shown on MBC's 'I Live Alone,' leading to speculation that Ms. Lee may have visited Key's residence.
on December 17 last year, Ms. Lee posted a photo of a dog resembling Comme Des, with captions suggesting a long-standing friendship with Key. The post was tagged with the location of UN Village in Hannam-dong. Ms. Lee has since deleted all posts related to Key.
Key previously lived in a luxury villa in Hannam-dong, which gained attention when BLACKPINK's Jennie purchased it for 5 billion won in cash in November 2023. Earlier this year, Key reportedly moved to Sweet Castle 3 nearby.
Meanwhile, Ms. Lee is embroiled in allegations of practicing medicine without a license on Park Na-rae. A media outlet reported that Park Na-rae received an IV from Ms. Lee at an officetel in Ilsan, and there are claims of antidepressant use without prescription and Ms. Lee accompanying Park Na-rae to Taiwan for 'I Live Alone' filming in 2023.
Park Na-rae's representatives stated, "We believed Ms. Lee had a medical license," clarifying that only simple nutrient injections were administered, with no involvement of propofol. Regarding the antidepressant allegations, they stated, "It's unfounded. Ms. Lee gave her own medication after Park mentioned her claustrophobia, not for medical consultation."
As the controversy grew, Ms. Lee posted a rebuttal on Instagram, claiming she studied in Inner Mongolia 12-13 years ago and worked as the youngest professor at Pugang Medical University Hospital(포강의과대학병원). She shared photos and lecture videos from a hospital in Inner Mongolia, China. However, after questions about her medical license in Korea arose, the post was deleted.
On the same day, the Association of Doctors for a Fair Society(공정한사회를바라는의사들의모임) issued a statement saying, "Pugang Medical University, mentioned by Ms. Lee, is a 'ghost university' that doesn't exist, and Chinese medical graduates cannot take the Korean medical licensing exam." They declared that if Ms. Lee practiced medicine in Korea, it would be illegal.
Choi Ji-ye, TENASIA Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr