Singer Sung Si Kyung has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that his one-man agency has been operating for over a decade without properly registering as a popular culture and arts business entity, as required by Korean law.
According to reports on September 16 KST, 에스케이재원, the agency founded in February 2011 and headed by Sung Si Kyung’s older sister, has not registered under the Act on the Development of the Public Culture and Arts Industry. Despite managing only Sung Si Kyung, the agency qualifies as a business subject to this regulation.
Under current law, entertainment agencies—including those managing only a single artist—must register with local authorities as popular culture and arts planning businesses and complete required annual training. Failure to do so can result in criminal penalties, including up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million KRW (~$14,500 USD).
An official from 에스케이재원 responded, stating, “The company was established before the relevant law came into effect. We were never officially notified of the updated requirements. We are now inquiring about the registration process.”
However, legal experts argue that ignorance of the law does not exempt one from compliance. Attorney Heo Sung Hoon from Law Firm Ryu emphasized, “This system was introduced to protect artists and regulate the industry after high-profile incidents. While it’s a step some may overlook, it is a legal obligation.”
A representative of another entertainment agency, speaking anonymously, added, “The registration process isn’t particularly difficult. Yet, some agencies keep postponing it despite knowing the legal requirement.”
As scrutiny mounts, Sung Si Kyung’s team has pledged to rectify the situation promptly. Nevertheless, the incident has reignited debate around regulatory oversight and legal literacy within Korea’s entertainment industry.
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