After reports of a large-scale tax probe involving singer and actor Cha Eun-woo, formerly of the group ASTRO, various allegations surrounding the timing of his military enlistment and the corporate address have spread, prolonging the controversy. However, voices are also urging caution against hasty judgments and excessive speculation, noting that the matter is still at a stage where final determination of tax liability has not been made.
Earlier on the 22nd, one outlet reported that Cha Eun-woo had been notified by the National Tax Service of a tax bill in the 20 billion won range related to income tax and other items. According to the report, Cha Eun-woo underwent a tax audit by the Seoul Regional Tax Service before enlistment, and is suspected of reducing his tax burden by dispersing income through a corporation established by his mother.
The National Tax Service reportedly judged that the corporation entered into a service contract with Cha Eun-woo's agency Fantagio to support entertainment activities but did not actually provide substantive services, and thus corresponded to a "paper company." Accordingly, the core of the report is that it notified a large-scale tax collection including corporate tax and value-added taxes.
In this process, because the timing of Cha Eun-woo's enlistment in the military in July last year coincided with the timing of the tax audit notification, some raised so-called "military run" allegations. In response, the agency said the claims are inaccurate and emphasized that the matter is one of tax law interpretation regarding the corporate entity's existence.
The controversy did not end there. On the 23rd, claims spread on online communities and social media that the past address of the corporation registered in the name of his mother was the same as an eel restaurant on Ganghwa Island in Incheon, raising another suspicion. The eel restaurant was previously introduced as one of Cha Eun-woo's regular restaurants on broadcasts and social media, leading some online users to even raise "fake broadcast" suspicions.
However, the core issue is not a specific restaurant or address but whether the corporation established by his mother was a substantive entity that actually provided services supporting entertainment activities. Cha Eun-woo maintained a contractual relationship with his agency while also signing a service contract with the corporation established by his mother, and the National Tax Service is reported to have judged that this structure amounted to income dispersion to avoid high-rate personal income tax.
Fantagio said the company is formally registered as a pop culture and arts planning business and that the matter of taxation has not been finally determined or notified, and added that it plans to actively explain the points of law interpretation and application through proper procedures. Cha Eun-woo's side is also reported to be contesting the National Tax Service's decision by filing a pre-assessment review.
Online, many urged caution, saying, "It is unreasonable to conclude tax evasion from the amount alone," "We should wait for a legal judgment," and "It is excessive to forcibly link military enlistment or broadcasts." Amid the spreading controversy, opinions have formed that Cha Eun-woo's side should provide additional explanation or a clearer position, and that unverified allegations or speculative interpretations should be restrained until a final conclusion is reached.
[photo] 'OSEN DB, SNS, broadcast screen'
[OSEN]