Lee Ha-nee’s CEO Husband Under Financial Scrutiny Amid Tax Scandal

Actress Lee Ha-nee, known for her recent roles in The Fiery Priest, and her husband are now at the center of a growing financial controversy, with allegations that a significant portion of her private agency’s payroll was funneled toward the couple.

On February 20, media outlet Field News reported that Lee’s personal agency, Hope Project, disbursed ₩2.74 billion in salaries between 2021 and 2023. Notably, in 2023, after her husband became the agency’s CEO, total salaries soared 2.4 times to ₩1.54 billion compared to the previous year.

According to the National Pension Service, Hope Project does not have any registered full-time employees, raising concerns that a substantial portion of the company’s funds may have been directed to Lee Ha-nee and her husband.

Lee’s agency, Team Hope, denied the allegations, stating, “The CEO’s salary is not included in the financial statement figures. The year-over-year salary differences are due to performance-based bonuses.” However, tax experts suggest that excessive salaries or bonuses paid by a corporation to its owners could constitute unjust enrichment if used as a means to transfer corporate profits to individuals.

Lee Ha-nee was under exclusive contract with Saram Entertainment from 2014 to 2023, yet she reportedly generated separate income through her private corporation, raising concerns about potential dual-income structuring.

Adding to the controversy, Hope Project was also found to have covered rent for a residence used by Lee’s family, further intensifying scrutiny.

60 Billion Won Tax Probe & Real Estate Scrutiny

On February 17, reports surfaced that Lee was ordered to pay ₩60 billion in back taxes following a high-intensity audit by the National Tax Service (NTS). The investigation reportedly stemmed from a 2022 tax audit into Saram Entertainment, during which suspicions of tax evasion involving Lee were uncovered.

Moreover, questions have been raised regarding the funding source of a ₩6.5 billion real estate purchase under Hope Project’s name. In just two years after founding the corporation, the company acquired a 332㎡ (100-pyeong) plot in Hannam-dong, Seoul, featuring a two-story building (173.63㎡ in size). Critics question how the relatively new company secured funds for such a high-value transaction.

A Rapidly Growing Scandal

Lee Ha-nee’s financial dealings have come under increased public and legal scrutiny, with authorities closely examining potential tax violations and corporate fund misuse. Despite the current controversy, Netflix has yet to announce any updates regarding her upcoming project 'Slowly and Intensely', which features a star-studded cast, including Song Hye-kyo, Gongyoo, Kim Seol-hyun and Cha Seung-won.

The actress, who announced her marriage in 2021 just one month after confirming her relationship, now faces one of the biggest financial scandals in the Korean entertainment industry.