Former Girl Group Member Faces Criminal Punishment For Illegal Activities

Recently, it was revealed that former idol and musical actress Ok Joo Hyun has been breaking the law for years.

On September 9, it was confirmed that her agency, TOI Entertainment, was not registered as a popular culture and arts planning business. The same applied to Title Role, the one-person agency she previously founded. Lee Ji Hye, a musical actress embroiled in a casting controversy alongside Ok Joo Hyun, serves as an auditor at Title Role.

Ok, Joo Hyun and Lee Ji Hye are signed to Title Role, but are currently under TOI Entertainment. Neither Title Role nor TOI is registered.

According to the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, entertainers operating as corporations or individual business owners with more than one individual must register as a popular culture and arts agency. This is a mandatory legal requirement, and violations are subject to legal sanctions, including criminal penalties.

Violating and operating without registration is punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine. Any business activity, including signing contracts without registration, is illegal and can result in suspension of business.

Ok Joo Hyun has operated the agency illegally since establishing her one-person agency in April 2022, including TOI Entertainment.

A legal representative stated, “The Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act doesn’t specifically include provisions invalidating performance contracts with unregistered businesses, but depending on the situation, the other party to the contract may use this to terminate the contract.”

They added, “Continuing to operate without registration creates a shadow market and undermines legal order. The entertainment industry must operate transparently and fairly within the law.”

Her agency representative replied, “There were aspects missed due to the change in person in charge.” However, contact was cut off after this response.

K-Netizens were not surprised by the matter considering her past controversies.

• “With anything, she doesn’t do just one thing.”
• “Didn’t she have a controversy with her yoga studio before? About her not paying the electric bills for several months?”
• “Not surprised.”
• “Doesn’t make sense that she didn’t know…it’s the standard when running a business.”
• “I’m honestly not surprised at all.”
• “She didn’t abide by the law, and it’s been revealed, so she needs to be punished.”
• “What’s wrong with her…was there something to gain by going against the law?