i-dle's Miyeon faces backlash over health check-up video

Legal Complaint Filed

Miyeon, a member of the popular group i-dle, is facing scrutiny after sharing her experience of undergoing a health check-up in a recent YouTube video. A complaint was filed on September 7, asking the Yongsan District Health Center to investigate whether Miyeon's content falls under the category of medical advertising, as stipulated by South Korean law.

In the video titled "i-dle Miyeon’s First Health Check-Up at 30: Did I... Talk Nonsense? | Episode 00," she documents her experience at the doctor's office, including a sleep endoscopy. At one point, Miyeon candidly expresses her concerns about being under sedation, saying, "I worry I might say something silly. Don’t ask me weird questions because I’m an idol."

The issue centers around segments that show drug administration and the procedure itself, which critics argue could violate Medical Law Article 56. This section prohibits non-medical professionals from advertising medical practices, including the portrayal of specific medical procedures.

Content Drawing Attention

In the original footage, viewers could see subtitles captioning 'administration of sedatives' while showing the procedure being performed. Furthermore, the name of the medical institution and its facilities were visible, leading to concerns that the video highlights a specific hospital, which could further support the argument of regulatory infringement.

The complainant, referred to as A, noted that phrases displayed in the video, such as "Health Check-Up Center Specializing in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy," raised questions about the appropriateness of those claims. They requested confirmation regarding the hospital's designation as a specialty facility and the implications of showcasing surgical acts in the video.

Growing Concerns

The protest also highlights that some clinical moments that appeared in the original video have since been blurred out, leading to further speculation about content modification post-publication.

Health authorities are expected to review these concerns critically. If the video is deemed to violate medical advertising laws, there could be repercussions not only for Miyeon but potentially for the production team behind the content as well. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's guidelines indicate that any promotional content regarding medical institutions or practices could be classified as medical advertising, regardless of whether compensation was exchanged.

As discussions unfold, many are watching closely to see how the situation develops, for Miyeon, i-dle, and the wider implications it could have for health-related influencer content in South Korea. This incident underscores the delicate balance between personal storytelling and legal boundaries in the entertainment industry.