New legislation aimed at improving long-criticized practices and protocols in the entertainment industry took effect on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday that actors, singers and other performers under the age of 15 are banned from working between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and also more than 35 hours a week.

Moreover, private entertainment agencies cannot be established and operated freely any longer. The new legislation requires them to now register with the government.

The curfew on under-15 performers aims to protect their human rights as minors. The entertainment industry has often demanded child actors or singers carry out rigorous all-night filming or recording sessions.

However, on days when school is out, those under the age of 15 may partake in work-related activities until midnight, an exception permitted by the Culture Ministry in consideration of the industry.

Those aged between 15 and 19 can work at any time, but only with consent from both the entertainer and his or her parents. Without consent, they cannot work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. like under-15 performers.

The new act states that only persons who have over four years of experience in the entertainment industry and own an independent office can establish an entertainment agency. The agency must also be registered with the government.

Tighter qualifications and mandatory registration are intended to curb fraud or other malpractices by talent agencies. The regulations enable the government to oversee agencies more easily, punish those involved in illegal activities, or mediate conflicts between agencies and performers.

“We seek to foster a systematic, law-abiding atmosphere under the new regulations,” a ministry official said.

By Sohn Ji-young (jiyoung.sohn@heraldcorp.com)