Lee Hanee ― who was previously hit with roughly 6 billion won in back taxes ― is facing fresh controversy, this time over her company Hope Project allegedly operating as a talent agency without the required registration.
On the 22nd, Hope Project issued a statement acknowledging it had not completed the mandatory registration to conduct talent management. “We were not fully aware of the registration requirement for popular culture and arts agencies and therefore did not complete the process,” the company said, adding that it has consulted experts, is proceeding under the relevant rules, and plans to finalize registration within the government’s grace period.
Under South Korea’s Act on the Development of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry, corporations and individual businesses with more than one employee must register to engage in talent management. Violations can carry penalties of up to two years in prison or fines up to 20 million won.
Hope Project was incorporated in 2015 as Hanee Co., later renamed Ireyoon, before adopting its current name in 2022. Lee served as CEO and an inside director until January 2023; her husband, "J," is the current CEO, while Lee remains an inside director.
Earlier, following a Seoul Regional Tax Office audit, Lee was assessed approximately 6 billion won in additional taxes. At the time, the company characterized the bill as a difference in interpretation between tax authorities and its advisers, said the full amount was paid, and denied any intent to evade taxes. The unusually large assessment ― among the biggest reported for a Korean entertainer ― fueled public debate.
Meanwhile, Lee welcomed her second child on August 24.
Photo: Baik Seung-Chul
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)