Lee Ha Nee And Her Husband Sent To Prosecution Over Improper Registration Of Their Agency

Actress Lee Ha Nee and her husband have been sent to prosecutors without detention on charges of violating the Act on the Development of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry.

Recently, the Gangnam Police Station stated that Lee Ha Nee and her husband Peter Jang were forwarded to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on these charges.

Lee Ha Nee served as CEO and inside director of Hope Project, which was established as Hani Co., Ltd. in 2015, until January 2023. It is known that her husband Peter Jang currently serves as CEO, while Lee Ha Nee holds the position of inside director.

Previously, in September, it was revealed that Hope Project had operated a management business for as many as 10 years without proper legal registration. At the time, Lee Ha Nee’s side stated, “We were not sufficiently aware of the obligation to register as a popular culture and arts planning business, so we were unable to complete the registration process,” adding, “After recently confirming this fact, we are proceeding with the procedures in accordance with the relevant regulations after receiving expert advice. We plan to complete the registration within the guidance period as soon as possible.”

It has since been confirmed that Lee Ha Nee’s current agency has completed registration as a popular culture and arts planning business in accordance with Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Development of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry. According to multiple media outlets on the 24th, the agency officially received its registration certificate on October 28. The agency added, “We plan to faithfully comply with the related procedures going forward as well.”

If an entertainment agency operates without fulfilling the mandatory registration as a popular culture and arts planning business, it is subject to punishment of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won [$13,855]. Musical actress Ock Joo Hyun, singer Sung Si Kyung, 2NE1 member CL, and comedian Park Na Rae have also faced controversy for operating one-person agencies without completing the required registration.

Source: (A)