'60억 세금 탈루 의혹'에 '소속사 불법 운영'까지… 연이은 논란에 휩싸여
Actor Lee Ha-nui is embarrassed by a series of controversies that have recently surfaced. Before she could fully enjoy the joy of becoming the mother of two children, allegations of tax evasion and illegal operation of her agency have followed, drawing mixed reactions from fans.
Earlier, a complaint alleging embezzlement, breach of trust and tax evasion through a corporation Lee Ha-nui established in 2015 was filed with the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul. The accuser claimed, "After Lee Ha-nui established a corporation in 2015 with capital of 10 million won, she acquired real estate worth about 6.5 billion won in just two years," and "She was later assessed about 6 billion won in additional taxes."
Lee Ha-nui's side immediately explained. Her agency, Team Hope, said, "Lee Ha-nui cooperated faithfully with an unscheduled, planned tax audit by the Seoul Regional Tax Service, and the additional taxes arose from differences in perspective with the tax authorities rather than intentional evasion," and added, "She has already paid the full amount."
In August, Lee Ha-nui, who attended a filmed interview for the Netflix new release Aema, spoke publicly for the first time about the tax evasion allegations. In the interview she also expressed a sense of grievance. She said, "There are always unfair things in life. Tax issues can be a matter of differing viewpoints," and "I have already paid the taxes, but a procedure is underway at a higher authority to contest the legality. For now it's a process, so I'm taking it calmly." She added, "The tax investigation has been ongoing for four years, from my first pregnancy and childbirth until now. If you take big things too heavily, you get sick," showing a composed demeanor.
But the controversy did not subside easily. On the 25th of last month, celebrations rose as Lee Ha-nui gave birth to her second daughter, but a new problem emerged just a month later. It was revealed that Hope Project, where Lee Ha-nui serves as CEO, had been operating in the field of popular culture and arts planning without registration. Under current law, operating a planning business without registration can be punished by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.
In response, Lee Ha-nui's side explained that it was "due to insufficient awareness of the registration obligation" and said it would "seek expert advice and promptly complete the registration process," but public sentiment has cooled amid the successive controversies.
Criticism continued among internet users. Some reacted sharply, saying, "It's shocking to have another controversy just a month after giving birth," "Why are issues with solo agencies for entertainers happening so often these days?" and "No matter how famous, actors must obey the law." On the other hand, some defended her, saying, "She already paid all the taxes, and if the lack of registration was not intentional but a mistake, isn't that something to be resolved through procedures?" and "It seems too harsh to direct such views at a new mother."
An uncomfortable issue arrived alongside the blessing of her second childbirth. Attention is focused on how Lee Ha-nui will handle the situation to return to the public as a "professional actor."
[Photo] 'OSEN DB'
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