Tempest actor Kang Dong-Won, CL, Song Ga-In, Kim Wan-Sun investigated for allegedly operating unregistered agencies

Tempest actor Kang Dong-Won, CL, Song Ga-In, Kim Wan-Sun investigated for allegedly operating unregistered agencies

The South Korean entertainment industry has been hit with another controversy as several top stars are facing investigations for allegedly operating unregistered agencies. Actor Kang Dong-Won, 2NE1’s CL, trot singer Song Ga-In, and veteran soloist Kim Wan-Sun are all under scrutiny after police confirmed cases have been registered against them.

According to reports from Sports Kyunghyang, the Seoul police are probing allegations that these artists conducted activities through entertainment companies that were not formally registered under the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act.

A complaint was reportedly filed by a citizen claiming that the stars violated the law by setting up agencies without meeting mandatory registration requirements.

Kang Dong-Won, currently leading Disney+’s hit drama Tempest, is one of the most prominent names involved. Known for acclaimed performances in Temptation of Wolves, Secret Reunion, The Priests, and Master, Kang’s career has spanned both commercial and critically acclaimed projects.

His agency, after missing the deadline, has since moved to begin the registration process, signaling an attempt to address compliance issues.

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For CL, the global K-pop icon who rose to fame as the leader of 2NE1, the allegations come as a setback just as she has been pursuing her solo career and overseas projects. Song Ga-In, a leading figure in the trot wave, and Kim Wan-Sun, often called the “Madonna of Korea,” are also under the spotlight for the same violations.

The law clearly stipulates that agencies must be registered to ensure both artists and employees are protected under industry regulations. Operating outside these guidelines can carry heavy consequences, including up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million KRW (around $14,500).

This is not the first such controversy to shake the industry. Recently, musical stars Ock Joo Hyun and Sung Si Kyung were also investigated for similar violations. With multiple high-profile names now being implicated, questions are growing over how widespread non-compliance may be in Korean entertainment.

The ongoing investigations are expected to reveal whether these cases stemmed from negligence, oversight, or deliberate evasion. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Kang Dong-Won, CL, and their peers as police dig deeper into the allegations.