Singer Speaks Out After Legal Oversight Comes to Light
K-ballad icon Sung Si Kyung is publicly taking responsibility after his agency faced accusations of violating regulations related to entertainment management licensing in South Korea. The issue? His company skipped a mandatory registration process—but it’s not as shady as it sounds.
What Happened?
On June 19, Sung posted a heartfelt apology on Instagram, saying, “I deeply regret causing worry. This was my oversight.” He then explained that after hopping through several agencies, he launched his own firm back in 2011—largely to simplify operations and keep things personal.
However, in 2014, Korea’s Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act took effect. This law requires entertainment agencies to formally register if they manage public figures like singers, actors, and models. Sung admitted that he and his team didn’t catch the update at the time. “It was our clear mistake,” he confessed. “We’re now proceeding with the proper registration to correct this.”
No Funny Business with Taxes
While skipping the registration is a legal issue—potentially punishable with fines or short-term imprisonment—Sung stressed it had nothing to do with tax evasion. “I want to be absolutely clear: I’ve reported all my income through a certified accountant,” he said, putting any rumors to rest. “There was no intent to dodge taxes.”
The Family-Run Agency Behind It All
Sung’s management company, SK Jaewon, was actually founded by his older sister over a decade ago. The company admitted it hadn’t been aware of the mandatory registration legislation either. But as soon as they were informed, they started taking care of it. “We sincerely apologize for the lack of awareness and are doing our utmost to comply fully going forward,” a company rep stated.
A Moment of Reflection
This hiccup, Sung adds, has forced him to reflect. “I’ve started double-checking everything. I’ll move forward more responsibly.”
While paperwork slip-ups aren’t exactly scandalous K-pop content, fans have largely responded with support, appreciating the singer’s transparency—and finding it refreshingly old-school in an era of dodged accountability.
Final Note
Sung Si Kyung may excel at love ballads, but when it comes to legal tunes, he’s vowed to stay perfectly in sync from now on. Do you think more artists should run their own agencies—or is it safer to leave it to the professionals?
