Actress Lee Ha-nee's entertainment agency, Hope Project, has also been confirmed to be operating without registration in the field of popular culture and arts planning.
A representative from Hope Project stated on the 22nd to Maeil Economic Star Today, “We were not fully aware of the obligation to register for popular culture and arts planning, so we could not proceed with the registration process.”
Hope Project was established on October 5, 2015, as 'Hanhee Co., Ltd.', changed its name to 'Ire Yoon Co., Ltd.' in January 2018, and then to 'Hope Project Co., Ltd.' in September 2022. Lee Ha-nee served as the CEO and internal director until January 2023, and currently, her husband Mr. J is the CEO, while Lee Ha-nee holds the position of internal director.
The representative stated, “After confirming this fact recently, we are consulting with experts and proceeding with the process according to relevant regulations, and we plan to complete the registration within the grace period.”
Recently, it has been revealed that agencies of Ok Joo-hyun, Kim Wan-sun, Song Ga-in, Kang Dong-won, CL, and others have been operating without registration in the field of popular culture and arts planning, causing controversy.
According to the 'Act on the Development of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry', popular culture and arts planners must register with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism through the administrative agency in charge of the business location (Article 26, Article 38), and those who violate this can face up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will operate a 'comprehensive registration grace period' until December 31 to create a legal compliance environment across the industry and establish a sound industrial order in response to such behaviors of entertainment agencies.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
