IVE’s An Yujin Under Fire for “Oriental Hospital” Comment

IVE’s An Yujin has found herself at the center of controversy following a recent comment.

On January 28, YouTube channel "TEO" released an episode of Salon Drip 2, titled “Welcome to An Yujin’s Salon Drip!” The episode featured An Yujin as a guest, chatting with host Jang Do-yeon.

During the conversation, An shared that she had recently obtained her driver’s license, adding, “I always thought knowing how to handle insurance claims was part of becoming an adult. I let my parents handle most things, but I made sure to get my own insurance.”

The comment that drew attention came when she said, “I read online that if you get into an accident and it’s not your fault, you should tell the other person to go to an Oriental medicine hospital (hanbang hospital).” She quickly added, “But that’s just something I saw online—you shouldn’t do that.”

Her remark refers to an online meme highlighting certain hanbang hospitals’ reputation for overbilling or accommodating “fake patients” (people who fake injuries to inflate insurance claims). Specifically, it pokes fun at the idea that visiting such hospitals after a car accident could lead to higher insurance payouts.

However, her comment has sparked criticism, with some suggesting it could contribute to misunderstandings, painting all hanbang hospitals as problematic when only a minority face such accusations. Critics argue that her statement was careless and could perpetuate harmful stereotypes.