Singer Sung Si-kyung has issued a public apology after admitting his one-person agency operated without proper registration for 14 years. On Sept. 18, he posted a lengthy note on Instagram, bowing to fans and expressing regret.
The controversy flared after reports that Sung’s label, “SK Jaewon,” had been running without registering as a pop culture and arts agency, following similar headlines involving Ok Joo-hyun. Under Korean law, agencies that manage entertainers must be registered; violations can result in fines or even jail time.
In his statement, Sung wrote, “I sincerely apologize for causing concern over a matter related to me.”
He explained that he founded his one-man company in 2011. When the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act took effect in 2014 and introduced a registration system, he failed to recognize and comply in time. “Not completing the required training and registration under the updated system was clearly the company’s fault,” he admitted, acknowledging his own oversight.
Addressing speculation about unreported income or tax evasion, he emphasized, “The lack of registration is unrelated to any omission of income or tax evasion. All income has been transparently reported through a tax accountant.”
Sung called the incident “a chance to hold myself to a stricter standard,” adding that he will be more meticulous and responsible moving forward. He closed with another apology to fans.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced on Sept. 18 that it will run an industry-wide registration guidance period through Dec. 31 to address compliance issues among one-person labels and encourage voluntary adherence to the law. During this period, MCST will work with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) to open consultation windows and help unregistered firms complete the process. A ministry official described it as “an opportunity for the industry to put its own house in order.”
Photo by Baik Seung-chul
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)