The 41-year-old star, celebrated for his versatile performances in hit series such as The Beauty Inside, Because This Is My First Life, and My Liberation Notes, as well as films like Quick and Spellbound, reportedly received a substantial tax assessment. According to reports, the matter traces back to Emmory Co. Ltd, the one-person agency Lee established in Seoul’s Gwangjin District in July 2021. Authorities determined that portions of his personal income were treated as corporate revenue, resulting in a lower tax burden than required.
In a detailed official statement on Wednesday, Lee’s agency Sangyoung ENT firmly denied any intentional underreporting or fraudulent activity. “Since his debut, Lee Min-ki has always complied with tax laws and faithfully fulfilled his duty to pay taxes,” the agency said. They highlighted that the actor cooperated fully during the audit, providing all requested materials transparently.
The discrepancy, according to the statement, arose from “a difference in interpretation of tax law between the tax authorities and our company regarding expense treatment standards in the course of corporate operations.” Sangyoung ENT stressed there was “no intentional concealment of income or any evasion through fraudulent means.”
The agency confirmed that Lee has already paid the full assessed amount without delay and expressed sincere regret for any public concern generated by the news. “We will further review our tax and accounting management systems to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again,” they added.
This development comes amid a string of similar tax scrutiny cases involving other Korean entertainers, drawing renewed attention to financial practices in the industry. Fans have largely responded with support, noting Lee’s long-standing reputation for professionalism both on and off screen.
As one of South Korea’s reliable character actors who transitioned successfully from modeling to leading roles across romance, drama, and action genres, Lee Min-ki continues to maintain a steady career. No impact on his upcoming projects has been reported.