Actor Lee Ha-nui has been referred to prosecutors after operating a one-person agency without registering as an entertainment management business.

On December 24, her side told Dispatch that Hope Project completed its registration as an entertainment management business under the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, receiving the official certificate on October 28.

They explained that the registration requirement was recognized later than it should have been, but the process was completed within the government's guidance period. They added that Lee Ha-nui will "faithfully cooperate with all ongoing related procedures."

Hope Project is a one-person agency established by Lee Ha-nui. Her husband, Jang Mo, serves as CEO, while Lee Ha-nui is listed as an internal director. Last year, the company underwent a tax audit and was assessed an additional tax payment of KRW 6 billion.

At the time, her side clarified that "no tax evasion was found, including omission of income from entertainment activities or false expense reporting during the audited period."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is operating a nationwide registration guidance period for unregistered entertainment management businesses through December 31.