On March 13, Duover Entertainment announced through its official account that Lee Hi’s exclusive contract had expired on March 6. “We inform you that our exclusive contract with artist Lee Hi ended on March 6,” the agency stated. “Although our journey together has come to an end, we sincerely support and look forward to Lee Hi’s future activities.”
Duover Entertainment was founded in 2024 by well-known producers and artists GRAY, Code Kunst, and Woo Won Jae. Lee Hi had joined the agency to continue exploring new musical directions during her time there.
Contract Ending Draws Attention After Recent Controversy
The announcement has attracted attention as it comes about two months after Lee Hi became involved in controversy surrounding an unregistered entertainment business. In January, reports revealed that Lee Hi had been operating her own agency, 808 HI RECORDINGS, where she served as CEO. The company had reportedly been running for approximately five years and nine months without registering with the local government, as required under Korean law for businesses managing popular culture and entertainment activities.
Under the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, companies performing management activities without proper registration may face criminal penalties.
The issue drew criticism after it was revealed that the company completed registration only after the problem surfaced, despite authorities previously offering a guidance period for such registrations. At the time, Duover Entertainment issued a statement explaining the situation.
“Because the artist was already promoting under an exclusive contract with our company, both the artist and the company did not fully recognize the need for separate registration for her personal business. This was due to our lack of awareness and oversight,” the agency said.
Future Plans Remain Unclear
With the contract now officially ended, attention is turning to Lee Hi’s next move in the industry. The singer, known for her distinctive vocal tone and emotional music, has built a strong fanbase since her debut and is widely regarded as one of Korea’s unique vocalists.
It remains unclear whether Lee Hi will pursue independent activities, continue running her own agency, or join a new label, but many fans are closely watching how she will move forward following the recent controversy.
Sources: Daum | TV리포트
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