The K-pop world is reeling. ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo, the “Face Genius” known for his spotless reputation, is now the face of a massive tax scandal. The National Tax Service (NTS) Seoul Regional Office hasn’t held back. Their Investigation Bureau 4—often called the “corporate death reaper”—has hit the star with a staggering ₩20 billion (around $13.7 million USD) tax assessment.
This is the largest tax penalty ever imposed on an individual entertainer in South Korea. It blows past every previous celebrity tax controversy. The investigation actually started during a routine audit of his agency, Fantagio. The agency didn’t escape either. They were slapped with an ₩8.2 billion fine for issuing false tax invoices.
The “Cha’s Gallery” Allegations
Everything centers on “Cha’s Gallery,” a corporation set up by Eunwoo’s mother in 2019. Tax authorities suspect this is a “paper company.” They allege it was designed to funnel the idol’s income and artificially lower his personal tax bracket. It’s a classic income-splitting tactic, and the NTS is digging deep.
Now, investigators are looking at the complex flow of money between Fantagio, the mother’s company, and Eunwoo himself. If authorities prove the company provided no real services, this moves from a legal loophole to a criminal evasion tactic. That’s a much more dangerous territory for the star.
Fast Facts: The Eunwoo Tax Controversy
- The Bill: ₩20 billion KRW ($13.7 million USD) in additional taxes.
- Global Rank: This is currently the 6th largest celebrity tax scandal worldwide, trailing names like Fan Bingbing.
- Legal Team: Eunwoo has hired Sejong Law Firm, the same heavy hitters representing NewJeans.
- The Stakes: Under the Special Act on Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, intentional evasion of this scale can carry a sentence of five years to life.
A High-Stakes Legal Defense
Eunwoo didn’t wait for the hammer to fall. He reportedly prepared for this audit nearly a year in advance by hiring Sejong Law Firm. His defense hinges on proving that his mother’s company was a legitimate business operation. While the Korea Taxpayers’ Association has criticized the NTS for “character assassination,” the agency has already filed for a pre-assessment review.
Fantagio’s official stance is cautious. “The issue is currently under investigation to confirm the facts,” the agency stated. They’ve promised to clarify their position through the proper legal channels, but the public is already talking.
Brands Pull Away as Military Service Looms
The fallout was instant. Major brands have started pulling advertisements and distancing themselves as the “criminal evasion” team continues its work. Public sentiment is sharp. Fans are defending his integrity, but critics say the scale of the missing tax is too large to ignore.
But there’s another problem: his upcoming military service. If the NTS refers this to prosecutors as a deliberate criminal act, a high-profile trial could be next. That would likely delay his enlistment and keep him in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
