K-Pop Star Miyeon Faces Complaint Over Health Video Showing 'Specialised Hospital' and Medical Procedures

K-pop star Miyeon is facing a formal complaint over a YouTube health video showing her undergoing a sedated gastroscopy at a Seoul clinic, prompting questions over South Korea's medical advertising rules.

The i-dle singer's health check-up episode, uploaded on 1 September, showed parts of the medical facility, staff and procedures, while signage describing it as a 'specialised hospital' was also visible.

According to reports, a citizen subsequently filed a complaint with Yongsan Public Health Center, which is now reviewing whether the content breached the Medical Service Act. However, no violation has yet been established.

Miyeon's Video Sparks Medical Advertising Complaint

The video documented Miyeon's first comprehensive health check-up after turning 30, taking viewers through several stages of the process.

Alongside routine examinations, including blood pressure, vision, and blood and urine tests, cameras followed the singer as she prepared for her first gastroscopy.

The video showed Miyeon receiving a defoaming agent and throat anaesthetic before lying down for the examination. It also included moments surrounding the administration of a sedative and the endoscopy itself.

The episode reportedly attracted more than 1.4 million views.

A complainant, identified only as 'A', subsequently submitted a petition asking the authorities to determine whether elements of the programme amounted to medical advertising.

Why the 'Specialised Hospital' Sign Raised Questions

According to reports detailing the complaint, identifying information about the Yongsan medical institution was partially visible alongside its staff and facilities. Particular attention focused on signage that described the facility as a 'specialised hospital' for gastric endoscopy and colonoscopy.

The complainant reportedly argued that public records identified the establishment as a clinic and asked authorities to investigate whether it was permitted to use the 'specialised hospital' description when filming took place.

Questions were also raised about whether showing the medical institution alongside actual procedures could fall under advertising regulations.

South Korean medical advertising guidance can potentially cover content conveying information about medical institutions or treatments to consumers, even when no payment has been exchanged.

Miyeon YouTube Team Denies Clinic Sponsorship

The video's production team has denied that the episode was intended to advertise the clinic. It said the medical institution did not request promotional coverage and provided no advertising fees, sponsorship, production assistance or other financial compensation.

Instead, the production team said it paid for Miyeon's health check-up and related medical expenses itself. Producers described the episode as documentary-style content recording Miyeon's genuine experience as part of a wider series covering health, beauty and wellness.

They also acknowledged that identifying information about the facility had not been sufficiently obscured in some footage. Additional blurring was subsequently applied to conceal those details.

Yongsan Public Health Center Reviewing Complaint

The complaint has now been assigned to the relevant division at Yongsan Public Health Center for assessment. Authorities are expected to examine whether the footage could legally constitute medical advertising and consider concerns surrounding the depiction of sedation and the gastroscopy procedure.

The review is also expected to consider the medical facility's reported use of the term 'specialised hospital.'

However, Miyeon's case is still in the complaint and review phase. As of 9 September, no public fines or other penalties had been imposed, and authorities had not formally declared that the singer, production team or medical facility had violated the Medical Service Act.