Amid ongoing allegations surrounding comedian Park Na-rae’s alleged power abuse toward her former managers, actress Han Chae-young’s past actions toward her own manager have resurfaced, drawing renewed public attention.
The renewed interest stems from Han Chae-young’s appearance on MBC’s variety show The Manager ( 전지적 참견 시점 ) in July 2021, where she revealed her close and considerate relationship with her manager. At the time, the broadcast showcased Han Chae-young personally leading staff members to help furnish her manager’s newly moved home with daily necessities.
Upon seeing the car trunk filled with supplies, a staff member jokingly remarked, “Did you really buy all of this? It looks like emergency rations.” The scene left viewers impressed by her thoughtful preparation.
Inside the manager’s home, a signed autograph Han Chae-young gave him when they first met was carefully preserved. “It’s still in perfect condition,” the manager said. “I kept it safely so it wouldn’t crease.” The house was also filled with furniture and household items gifted by Han Chae-young, including curtains, a mattress, hangers, a table, a sofa, and an air purifier.
The manager singled out a custom-made table with storage as his favorite gift, explaining, “It’s the same table she has at her place. She had it specially made to fit my home, which makes it even more meaningful.”
During the interview, the manager hesitated before becoming emotional and revealing, “She told me to keep this an absolute secret, but she’s actually the one who found this house for me.” He went on to disclose that Han Chae-young had covered the jeonse (lump-sum lease) deposit for his Seoul home.
“I was struggling a lot and had decided to quit my job and move back to Daegu,” he shared. “When she heard that, she told me, ‘You’re someone who can succeed. You’ll grow much bigger. I can’t do this without you.’ She helped me so I could keep working.”
Watching the footage, Han Chae-young explained her reasoning. “My manager’s hometown is Daegu. I also came to Korea from the U.S. at a young age and worked without my parents, so I understand how hard it is to be alone,” she said. “He had something he wanted to do but couldn’t because of circumstances, so I helped a little.”
She added, “In this industry, there are times when you don’t know who’s really on your side. A manager feels like family—someone who’s always on my side.”
Han Chae-young’s past remarks have resurfaced as comedian Park Na-rae is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with her former managers. On December 4, her ex-managers filed for provisional seizure of Park Na-rae’s property, alleging workplace harassment, special injury, proxy prescriptions, and unpaid production expenses. In response, Park Na-rae countersued them on charges including blackmail and embezzlement, escalating the conflict into a full legal battle.
As the controversy continues, public attention has turned toward contrasting examples within the entertainment industry, with Han Chae-young’s actions being cited as a notable example of trust and mutual respect between an artist and her manager.
Sources: TV Report, MBC