It has been confirmed that Hope Project, the entertainment agency founded by actress Lee Ha-nee, has been operating for 10 years without being registered as a pop culture and arts planning business.
On the 22nd, Lee Ha-nee’s agency Hope Project stated in relation to its unregistered operation:
“Hope Project was not fully aware of the obligation to register as a pop culture and arts planning business, so the registration process was not carried out.”
They added, “After recently confirming this fact, we have been proceeding with the necessary procedures in accordance with the relevant regulations under the advice of experts, and we plan to complete the registration within the guidance period as soon as possible.”
According to the Act on the Development of the Pop Culture and Arts Industry, corporations or sole proprietors with more than one employee must complete the registration process under Article 26, Paragraph 1, in order to engage in pop culture and arts planning. Operating without registration is subject to up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million won.
Hope Project was established on October 5, 2015, under the name “Hani Co., Ltd.,” renamed “IreYoon Co., Ltd.” in January 2018, and then “Hope Project Co., Ltd.” in September 2022. Until January 2023, Lee Ha-nee served as CEO and inside director, while currently her husband Mr. J is the CEO, and Lee Ha-nee serves as an inside director.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that in order to foster a law-abiding environment across the entertainment agency sector and establish a sound industrial order, it will operate a “comprehensive registration guidance period” until December 31.
News about actress Lee Ha Ni-don’s agency shocked Korean netizens. While some accused the star of tax evasion and deception, others argued it was simply a legal oversight. Here’s what they had to say:
- “Seriously, so many scandals… lol”
- “Solo agencies like Sung Si Kyung, Ok Joo Hyun… they’re all getting exposed one after another.”
- “Image is going straight to hell ㅋㅋㅋ”
- “Does this mean they didn’t register for pop culture business to avoid paying taxes? It’s a legal corporation, shouldn’t they register the business type, pay taxes, and process expenses? In this era, investigations reveal everything. If they wanted to evade taxes, who would be sloppy like this?”
- “If it’s a one-person agency, isn’t it basically not a legal issue?”
- “I think there are a lot of places like this… but still, people support them and let them earn money;;”
- “Entertainers making tens or hundreds of billions, their tax evasion is insane..”
- “She keeps popping up too.”
- “There’s no way she didn’t know~”
- “And even after this, she still films projects and people praise her acting… being a celebrity is seriously sweet.”
- “The reason is clear, it was for tax evasion!! Saying they didn’t know is nonsense. From the moment they started evading, why are they still on TV? Disgusting.”
- “You really never know about celebrity images… The agency I was in had a thug CEO who played with money, but at least it was registered. Didn’t think celebrities wouldn’t even register… If they dig, more will come out.”
- “What’s with celebrities? Even Sung Si Kyung too.”
- “If they just keep claiming ignorance, the judge will just declare them not guilty!!! Ama-zing!!! Korean celebrities~”
- “This woman has so many problems~ She should be properly investigated.”
- “The comments are going crazy… This has nothing to do with taxes, and there’s a guidance period so they can just register again. These clueless hate comments tearing her apart are seriousㅉ”
- “Why does Lee Ha Nee’s path look like this more and more…”
- “She’s really caught up in controversy too.”
