Actress Lee Ha-nee's Agency Operated Unregistered for a Decade

Actress Lee Ha-nee's entertainment agency, Hope Project, has been revealed to have operated without registration for 10 years.

On the 22nd, Hope Project, Lee Ha-nee's agency, stated, "We were not fully aware of the obligation to register as a pop culture and arts planning business, and thus did not complete the registration process. After recently confirming this fact, we are proceeding with the necessary procedures in accordance with the relevant regulations, with expert consultation, and plan to complete the registration within the guidance period."

Lee Ha-nee established her one-person agency, 'Hanee Corporation,' in 2015, which was renamed 'Ireyun Corporation' in 2018, and 'Hope Project Corporation' in 2022. Lee served as CEO and internal director until January 2023. Currently, her husband is the CEO, and Lee is an internal director.

According to the Act on the Development of the Pop Culture and Arts Industry, corporations or individuals with more than one person must complete the registration process under Article 26, Paragraph 1, to engage in pop culture and arts planning. Operating without registration can result in imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will operate a 'comprehensive registration guidance period' until December 31 to foster a law-abiding environment across the industry and establish a sound industrial order.

Previously, it was revealed in February that Lee Ha-nee was subject to a tax investigation by the National Tax Service last September, resulting in a tax imposition of 6 billion won. Lee's side claimed that the issue arose from differences in legal interpretation regarding whether to pay corporate tax or income tax.

Reporter Kim Ji-won, TenAsia one@tenasia.co.kr