An entertainment agency in Korea said it has filed a lawsuit against Han Jang-hee, also known as “Elf Girl,” for her absence-without-leave just before the 2010 World Cup in June when the company needed her most. She gained her nickname "Elf Girl" for her elf-like appearance in the photos that were circulated on the Internet.

Han, who gained Internet notoriety and subsequent interest from talent agencies in Korea after a random fan took a picture of her in a sexy red kerchief top at a World Cup event in 2006, was wooed by these agencies that were keen to sign her on as an artiste because of her looks. She did not take up any of those offers and left Korea to study abroad and avoid being hounded.

She has since returned and took up the offer of one agency to be part of a pop duo, Foxy.

Now, MC Entertainment, the agency that signed her on to debut her World Cup single earlier this year is seeking 500 million won (S$574,292) for her “unfair” termination of activities, as well as the fabrication of her “Elf Girl” photo without notifying the agency, company officials said.

The agency said it has repeatedly been trying to reach Han to resolve the issue. In response, Han replied that she had suffered “physically and mentally” during the period of entertainment activities, local news reports have said.

Maeil Economic Daily said the agency even revealed Han’s personal information by saying that Han had been engaged in Taiwan in the past but broke it off.

Despite her “promiscuity,” the company treated her nicely to do business with her, but her sudden disappearance caused “enormous losses,” the company was quoted by Kookmin Ilbo as saying.

“In the future, the company is also considering suing Han for libel,” the company said.