According to a report released on January 27, Lee Hi’s agency, 808Hi Recordings , completed its registration as a popular culture and arts planning business with the Mapo District Office on January 21. This came approximately 5 years and 9 months after the company was first established in April 2020.
The agency was initially founded under the name Lee Hi Co., Ltd. and reportedly changed its corporate name three times over the past several months. Corporate records show that Lee Hi serves as the CEO, while her older sister holds the position of internal director, making it a family-run company.
Under South Korea’s Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act , any business engaged in entertainment management must register with the relevant local government. Failure to do so can result in penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million KRW . The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had previously offered a voluntary registration grace period that lasted until the end of last year, but Lee Hi’s agency completed its registration roughly three weeks after that deadline.
In response, Lee Hi’s management company Duover issued an official statement explaining the situation. The agency stated, “Since Lee Hi has been carrying out her activities under an exclusive contract with us, she was not aware that her personal corporation also required separate registration as a popular culture and arts planning business.”
They continued, “This issue arose due to a lack of awareness and oversight on the part of both the artist and the company. We sincerely apologize for causing concern and will ensure that all related laws and procedures are followed more thoroughly going forward.”
With authorities having announced stricter enforcement against unregistered businesses following the end of the grace period, attention is now focused on what kind of administrative action may be taken against Lee Hi’s agency, which operated outside the legal framework for more than five years.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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