In a stunning turn of events, former idol and musical actress Ok Joo Hyun has been exposed for engaging in illegal activities for years!

On September 9, it was officially revealed that her agency, TOI Entertainment, has been operating without the necessary registration as a popular culture and arts planning business. This is in the same boat as Title Role, the one-person agency she founded earlier. Adding fuel to the fire, Lee Ji Hye, a musical actress entangled in a casting scandal alongside Joo Hyun, is the auditor for Title Role.

Both Ok Joo Hyun and Lee Ji Hye are currently signed to Title Role while being managed under TOI Entertainment, yet neither agency is legally registered.

Under the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, entertainers who run a business with multiple individuals must register as a legitimate agency. This registration is not just a formality—it’s a legal requirement, and failing to comply can lead to severe legal repercussions, including jail time or hefty fines.

Operating without proper registration can result in a prison sentence of up to two years, and all business activities—including signing contracts—are deemed illegal, risking potential suspension of the business altogether.

Since establishing her agency in April 2022, Ok Joo Hyun has reportedly operated both her agency and TOI Entertainment illegally.

A legal expert commented, "While the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act doesn’t directly invalidate contracts with unregistered businesses, there's a possibility that a contracting party could use this oversight to terminate agreements." They further noted, "Allowing such unregistered operations fosters a shadow market that undermines legal integrity; the entertainment industry must uphold transparency and fairness."

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Ok Joo Hyun stated, "We may have overlooked some registration aspects due to a change in management." However, after this statement, all communication ceased.

Given her history of controversies, many K-netizens are not shocked by this latest revelation, illustrating a troubling pattern in the world of entertainment.