South Korean actor and singer Cha Eun-woo broke his silence and publicly apologized after being involved in a tax scandal that has shaken his career.Through an extensive statement published on his personal Instagram account on January 26, the member of the ASTRO group addressed the accusations of alleged tax evasion for the first time, after it emerged that the National Tax Service (NTS) notified him of an additional tax assessment exceeding 20 billion won (approximately $13.6 million).
The artist’s statement, released while he was performing his mandatory military service, came after several days of intense local media coverage. The case is still in the investigation and verification stage, which is why his agency, Fantagio, had asked for caution last Thursday the 22nd, noting that there is still no definitive resolution.
“I sincerely apologize for having caused concern and disappointment to many people due to various recent issues related to me,” the True Beatuy actor wrote, referring directly to the crisis for the first time.
“I have reflected deeply on whether my attitude towards my duty as a citizen of the Republic of Korea, particularly with regard to paying taxes, was rigorous enough,” said the 28-year-old.
He also explained that he hesitated before speaking out publicly, fearing that a lengthy explanation would sound like a justification.
Cha Eun-woo said he had written the message after completing his daily duties within the military unit in which he serves.In this context, he flatly denied that his enlistment had the objective of evading the ongoing tax audit.
“I am currently serving in the military, but it was in no way an intentional choice to avoid this controversy,” he wrote.“Last year I found myself in a situation in which I could no longer postpone my enlistment, and that is why I enlisted without having been able to complete the tax investigation procedures.”
The actor, however, assumed his share of responsibility for what he described as “a misunderstanding that arose from my own deficiencies.”
“If I weren’t a soldier right now, I would personally visit and apologize to everyone who was harmed by this incident,” he said.
In his statement, the actor thanked his followers for their support throughout his 11-year career and was “indescribably sorry” for having caused “great pain and distress” to those who trusted him.
“I will faithfully participate in tax-related procedures that develop in the future,” he said.“I will humbly accept the final decision made by the competent authorities and assume full responsibility in accordance with the result,” he concluded.
For its part, this Tuesday the 27th, the Fantagio agency also assured that they are “fully cooperating” with the tax authorities and that it will comply with any legal or administrative decision that is adopted.
“The matter that is currently being raised is in the stage of verifying the facts in accordance with the procedures of the tax authorities,” the company said in a statement to the press.
The NTS investigation focuses on a business structure linked to Cha Eun-woo’s mother.According to a report published by EDaily last Thursday, the artist would have signed a contract with a company founded by his mother in 2022, registered as a cultural and artistic planning agency. This agreement allowed the income generated by his professional activity to be shared between Fantagio, the family company and the actor himself.
The%20%20fiscal%20authorities%20consider%20that%20that%20reason%C3%B3n%20social%20could%20have%20functionedas%20a%20%E2%80%9Company%20ghost%E2%80%9D,%20used%20to%20redirect%20revenue%20and%20reduce%20thetax%20burden%20personal%20of%20artist,%20taking advantage%20that%20the%20corporate%20tax in%20Korea%20of%20South%20is%20significantmind%20lower%20than%20the%20rate%20m%C3%A1maximum%20of%20taxon%20%20income,%20which%20can%20reach%20%2045%.
In this context, the NTS notified an additional tax assessment of more than 20 billion won.However, Cha Eun-woo’s defense requested a prior review before the sanction becomes final.The artist’s lawyers must demonstrate that the company in question operated legitimately and that the contractual structure complied with current regulations.
