Following several celebrities including Ok Joo-hyun, Sung Si-kyung, Gang Dong-won, Song Ga-in, and Kim Wan-sun, it was learned that CL of the group 2NE1 also operated her one-person agency without registering as a popular culture arts planning business.
On the 18th, CL's agency Very Cherry said through multiple outlets, "We recently confirmed the fact of non-registration and take it seriously, and we are currently expediting the relevant registration procedures."
Under the current Act on the Development of the Pop Culture and Arts Industry, celebrities and entertainment agencies operating as corporations or as sole proprietors with more than one employee are required to register as a popular culture arts planning business. Operating without registration can result in up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.
As the controversy grew, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism began operating a "mass registration guidance period for popular culture arts planning businesses." It plans to allow a guidance period until Dec. 31 to encourage voluntary registration, and afterward will proceed with administrative investigations and requests for probes in case of violations.
The ministry said, "This guidance period is an opportunity for the industry to conduct a self-check of legal obligations and complete registration," adding, "We plan to create a transparent and lawful planning and management environment to protect popular culture artists and enhance the credibility of the popular culture industry."