Park Na Rae’s one-person agency confirmed to have operated without mandatory registration for over a year

Broadcaster Park Na Rae has been operating through a one-person management agency that was not registered as a pop culture and arts business, as required under South Korean law, Ilgan Sports reported on December 4.

According to the report, Park has conducted her entertainment activities for more than a year under N Park Co., Ltd., a corporation founded by her mother in 2018. Although N Park Co., Ltd. has been functioning as Park’s de facto agency since her exclusive contract with JDB Entertainment ended in September 2023, the company did not complete the legally mandated registration for pop culture and arts management.

Under Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Development of the Pop Culture and Arts Industry, any corporation or individual business (other than a sole proprietor without employees) engaged in pop culture and arts management must register with the government. Operating without registration is subject to up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million KRW (approximately 13,583 USD).

Although N Park Co., Ltd. is formally registered as a service and event management business, the company does not appear on the government’s official list of registered pop culture and arts management entities, according to the report.

A representative of Park Na Rae initially stated that the matter would be reviewed; however, Ilgan Sports reported that no further responses were received despite repeated follow-up calls and messages seeking comment.

In addition, two former employees listed as internal directors of N Park Co., Ltd. filed a provisional property attachment request with the court on December 3, signaling their intent to pursue a damages claim against Park Na Rae. The former employees allege that they were subjected to special assault, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, delayed reimbursement of personal expenses, and other misconduct. These allegations have not been substantiated, and Park has not publicly addressed them. According to Ilgan Sports, multiple attempts to obtain her position on the matter received no reply.

Park Na Rae debuted in 2006 as part of KBS’s 21st class of public recruitment comedians and has since appeared on numerous entertainment programs, including 'Gag Concert,' 'Comedy Big League,' 'I Live Alone,' and 'Where Is My Home.'