Miss Universe runner-up investigated and fined 100 billion, shocking Korean entertainment industry

Recently, Mk.co.kr - one of the famous newspapers in Korea suddenly reported that Honey Lee was being investigated by the tax authorities. Honey Lee was crowned Miss Korea 2006 and won the title of 3rd runner-up - Miss Universe 2007.

Accordingly, the tax investigation into Honey Lee and Hope Project (a company founded by Honey Lee) took place in September 2024 and collected a huge amount of tax of up to 6 billion won (about 100 billion VND). This number includes income tax.

This is considered the largest fine in Korean showbiz. Not only Honey Lee, many other famous stars in the kimchi country have also fallen into similar situations.

Beauty of Miss Universe 2007 runner-up - Honey Lee from Korea.

Song Hye Kyo was charged about 3.5 billion won (about 61 billion VND) after being investigated for tax in 2012. Kwon Sang Woo also had to pay 1 billion won (more than 17 billion VND) in taxes in 2020. Not long ago, Park Hee Soon also had to pay 800 million won (about 14 billion VND) in taxes.

The investigation is believed to be related to her former management company, Saram Entertainment. During an irregular tax audit of Saram Entertainment in 2022, authorities discovered signs of tax evasion related to Honey Lee.

The Gangnam Tax Office then reported the case to higher authorities, leading to an official investigation in September 2023. Legally, Honey Lee established 'Ha Nui Co., Ltd.' in October 2015, then changed its name to 'Lee Rye Yoon Co., Ltd.' in January 2018.

In September 2022, the company changed its name to Hope Project. She will continue to serve as CEO and internal director until January 2023, before transferring the CEO role to her husband, while the actress will remain the internal director of the company.

Honey Lee's management agency TEAMHOPE responded, "Honey Lee has been diligently cooperating with the Seoul Regional Tax Service in the tax investigation conducted as part of the comprehensive inspection plan for artists with legal status last year."

Honey Lee's company also affirmed: "Honey Lee always complies with the law and fulfills tax obligations in accordance with regulations under the advice of tax agents.

This additional tax was due to a difference in tax calculation between the tax authority and her tax agent. We have completed the payment and are not involved in any intentional tax evasion."

However, an official from the National Tax Service of Korea said: "There are many cases of individuals establishing one-person companies to avoid taxes by associating with other companies. We are strengthening supervision of this group of subjects."

He also said: "Many people when facing tax arrears often cite accounting errors or tax agent errors, but through detailed checks, the possibility of intentional tax evasion cannot be ruled out."

Honey Lee (real name: Lee Ha Nee) won the Miss Korea 2006 crown. She represented the beauty of Korea to attend Miss Universe 2007 and won the third runner-up position. In the same year, she became the first Asian beauty queen to be honored as Miss Grand Slam - Miss of beauty queens. In Korea, Honey Lee is considered one of the beauty icons of the entertainment industry. She is affectionately called by the public and media with the titles "the most charming Miss Korea" or "the most beautiful Miss Korea".

The star born in 1983 has a brilliant acting career with works such as: Flavor of Love, Tazza - Hand of God, The Legend of Hong Gil Dong, The Gentleman Returns, The Passionate Priest, Super Difficult Profession, Talented Female Inspector, Flowers Bloom at Night... At the end of 2021, this talented and beautiful beauty queen suddenly married a non-celebrity husband. Honey Lee gave birth to her first daughter in June 2022.

The most beautiful Miss Korea in the world, the beauty bombarded many big arenas Phi Đức14:37:10 05/02/2024Korean beauty is often highly appreciated internationally through actors and idols on the small screen. But few people know that this country does not like Miss. Most beauties want to become actresses and singers.