Pop Culture and Arts Planning Business (Entertainment Agency) Registration in Korea

Does an entertainment agency need a permit, or a registration?

It requires a registration, not a permit or a report. Anyone who intends to run a pop culture and arts planning business must register with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the same applies when registered details change. Under the Enforcement Decree, registration and change registration work is delegated to the Mayor of the Special/Metropolitan/Special Self-Governing City or the (Special Self-Governing) Province Governor.

What are the registration requirements?

(1) Personal requirement: 2 or more years of experience in a pop culture and arts planning business, or completion of a related training course run by an institution designated by Ministry ordinance. For a corporation, at least 1 officer must meet this requirement.

(2) An office.

(3) Disqualifications: minors, adults under full or limited guardianship, bankrupts who have not been reinstated, persons sentenced to a fine or heavier punishment for violating this Act, the Act on the Punishment of Arranging Commercial Sex Acts, the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses, etc. where 3 years have not passed, and persons whose registration was cancelled less than 3 years ago, among others, cannot run or work in the business.

Which documents are needed?

Submit the registration application form, the corporate register (for a corporation), a copy of the business registration certificate, and documents proving the requirements. Depending on the requirement, proof includes documents showing income earned from working in the business, a certificate of experience (where experience cannot be proven by income), proof of completing the training course, and proof of the right to use a leased office. The building and corporate registers and the business registration certificate are checked through shared administrative information.

What is the procedure?

(1) Obtain proof of experience or complete the training course → (2) secure an office → (3) submit the application and documents → (4) review of requirements → (5) issuance of the registration certificate. Once registered, a certificate is issued; suspension, closure and resumption of business, and transfer, merger or inheritance of the business must be reported separately.

How long does it take?

The processing period stated on the application form is 15 days. Time needed to obtain experience certificates or complete the training course is separate.

Which authority handles the registration?

By law, registration is made with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but under the Enforcement Decree registration and change registration work is delegated to the city/province governor where the business is located, so in practice you file with the competent city or province.

Why is a registration returned?

Typical reasons that can be confirmed in the law: the experience or training requirement is not met, no office is secured, or a disqualification applies. Operating without registration can lead to imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to KRW 20 million.

What can an administrative agent help with?

YouSun Administrative Agency prepares the registration application and supporting documents and submits them to the authority on your authorization. Advice on or disputes over artists' exclusive contracts and tax work are not handled. Work restricted by other laws cannot be handled, and litigation or court representation is outside the scope of an administrative agent and is not offered. Whether registration is granted is decided by the competent authority.