Following intense criticism from medical groups, the Aori boyfriend Kim Hyeong-bae fever controversy has led to a public apology from the Korean medicine doctor and television personality. On August 26, 2026, Kim Hyeong-bae issued an official statement acknowledging that his online advice regarding high fever tolerance was poorly phrased and potentially misleading.
Kim, who recently gained public attention after influencer and entrepreneur Aori (Kim Min-young) confirmed their romantic relationship, sparked debate when he advised followers on managing fever without medication.
High Fever Advice Sparks Medical Backlash
The controversy originated from online comments where Kim claimed that adults could tolerate body temperatures up to 39.4°C (102.9°F) and children up to 38.5°C (101.3°F) before taking fever reducers. He added that enduring mild illnesses strengthens natural immunity over time.
However, medical associations quickly condemned the advice. The Association of Doctors for a Fair Society issued a formal statement highlighting the medical dangers of ignoring high fevers.
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| KIM HYEONG-BAE HIGH FEVER CONTROVERSY TIMELINE |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1. Online Statement : Advised adults can tolerate fever up to 39.4°C (102.9°F).|
| 2. Medical Warning : Doctors association warned 39.4°C signals sepsis/encephalitis.|
| 3. Official Apology : Kim admits phrasing was inaccurate and reckless (Aug 26). |
| 4. Revised Advice : Emphasized considering overall health over mere numbers. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Medical experts emphasized that a temperature of 39.4°C can be a warning sign of severe, life-threatening conditions such as encephalitis or sepsis, warning that delaying medical evaluation poses significant health risks.
Official Statement and Clarification
In his formal apology published on August 26, Kim clarified his original intention and expressed deep regret for causing confusion as a licensed medical professional.
“Suggesting specific temperature limits and implying patients should endure high fevers was an improper expression,” Kim stated. “My intent was to emphasize looking at a patient’s overall health, age, and accompanying symptoms rather than relying solely on numbers, but as a healthcare provider, I should have communicated with far greater precision and caution.”
