2NE1’s CL is facing scrutiny after it was revealed that her one-person agency VERYCHERRY has been operating for nearly five years without official registration. Founded by CL, also known as Lee Chae-rin, in 2020, the company has been managing her solo activities, from music releases to public appearances.
However, according to reports on September 18, the agency had not registered as a pop culture and arts planning business, which is required under South Korea’s Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act.
A representative from VERYCHERRY admitted the oversight and confirmed that steps are now being taken to correct the issue quickly. “We recently confirmed the fact that it was unregistered and take this matter very seriously. We are currently proceeding swiftly with the related registration process,” the agency said.
The law requires any corporation or individual business that manages entertainers above a certain scale to register as a planning business. Failure to comply can carry serious consequences, including up to two years of imprisonment or fines of up to 20 million won.
CL’s case is not isolated, as the entertainment industry has seen multiple similar instances recently. High-profile names such as musical actress Ock Joo Hyun, singers Sung Si Kyung and Song Ga In, and actor Kang Dong Won were also found to have unregistered agencies. Both Ock Joo Hyun and Sung Si Kyung have been charged and are being investigated by authorities.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has responded by introducing a universal registration guidance period, which will last until December 31, 2025. During this time, unregistered companies are being encouraged to voluntarily comply with the law, with consultations available through the Korea Creative Content Agency.
After the grace period ends, authorities have pledged strict enforcement, including administrative investigations and referrals for prosecution.
There is a wider trend in the Korean entertainment industry where artists establish one-person agencies to gain independence from major entertainment companies. Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, Baekhyun, Park Hyung Sik, Jun Ji Hyun, and more have established personal labels.
While this offers creative freedom, the controversy highlights the importance of adhering to regulations designed to maintain fair practices and protect artists’ rights. VERYCHERRY is now moving to secure its registration and avoid further legal risks.
Meanwhile, CL wrapped the 15th-anniversary 2NE1 concert tour, Welcome Back, in April this year.