2NE1’s CL And Kang Dong Won’s Agencies Referred To Prosecution On Charges Of Operating An Agency Without Proper Registration
Actor Kang Dong Won and 2NE1 member CL’s agencies have been referred to prosecutors on charges of operating an entertainment management company without proper registration.
On the 22nd of January, it was confirmed that the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul sent CL (Lee Chae Rin), her corporation, Kang Dong Won’s agency CEO A, and his corporation to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office without detention on suspicion of violating the Act on the Development of the Culture and Arts Industry.
CL is accused of running a one-person agency she established in February 2020 for approximately 5 years and 7 months without registering it with the relevant district office, a legal requirement for cultural and arts management businesses. Because she served as the company’s CEO, she was referred to prosecutors as a suspect.
Kang Dong Won’s agency CEO A is also accused of running a corporation for about 2 years and 9 months without registering it after its establishment in January 2023. However, Kang Dong Won himself was cleared of wrongdoing, as it was recognized that he was not involved in the agency’s management and focused solely on his acting career.
The case arose after a complainant pointed out that the Act on the Development of the Culture and Arts Industry exists to protect vulnerable artists such as minors and trainees, improve unfair practices, and maintain fair business order. The complainant argued that long-term unregistered operation bypasses these safeguards and poses serious issues regarding the protection of new and young artists, trust with business partners, and market integrity.
Recently, some celebrities operating their own one-person agencies without fulfilling the legal obligation to register as a cultural and arts management business has become a social concern. Under current law, running an entertainment agency requires registration, and violations can result in imprisonment for up to two years or fines of up to 20 million won [$13,657].
In response, the Korea Entertainment Management Association stated, “Famous entertainers, who should be the first to comply with the law, operating unregistered agencies for years is not an issue to take lightly,” signaling plans for strict measures, including potential legal complaints.
Source: (A)
