Seol Kyung-gu and Sung Si-kyung have only faced administrative measures.
The case exposes a lack of understanding regarding unregistered agencies.
Musical actress Ok Joo-hyun has been sent to the prosecution for operating an unregistered agency, prompting comparisons with other figures like Seol Kyung-gu and Sung Si-kyung who faced similar issues. Although they all encountered the same 'unregistered entertainment agency' problem, the circumstances leading to Ok's prosecution were different.
After it was revealed that she was running TOI Entertainment without proper registration, Ok was reported through the Citizen's Portal, which triggered a criminal investigation by the police. Once a legal violation was confirmed, the case was forwarded to the prosecution on the 27th. In contrast, Seol Kyung-gu, Sung Si-kyung, and Song Ga-in faced allegations of unregistered status but received no formal complaints, leading police to handle their cases through administrative measures.
The backdrop of this incident is connected to the recent guidance period from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. While many entertainers completed the registration process during this time, Ok's case proceeded with police investigations first, preventing any administrative remedies from being applied. Thus, her situation is deemed exceptional compared to other entertainers.
This case illustrates that the operation of unregistered agencies goes beyond being a mere personal issue for entertainers; it reflects a serious concern for the industry as a whole. The lack of legal understanding regarding unregistered agencies highlights how frequently misunderstandings can occur, potentially leading to severe repercussions for musical actors and public figures. Such gaps in understanding can have far-reaching implications for the careers of these individuals.
Ok Joo-hyun's prosecution exposes potential conflicts within existing legal procedures, suggesting that the lines between administrative and criminal processes can become blurred. The initiation of a criminal procedure before administrative guidance could lead to unequal treatment compared to other entertainers, undermining trust in the overall entertainment industry. This disparity raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of how similar cases are handled.
Ultimately, these scenarios underscore the need for industry-wide awareness and urgent measures to prevent similar situations in the future. As the prevalence of one-person agencies and small-scale operations rises, there are increasing calls for the refinement of legal standards and guidance systems to ensure that entertainers fully comprehend their obligations within the industry.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
