Actor Kim Seon-ho bowed his head after announcing, through his agency Fantagio, that he formed a one-person corporation and paid additional income taxes along with a timeline after allegations of tax evasion surfaced. Earlier, Cha Eun-woo, who is with the same agency, had said he hired a law firm over the same controversy, a completely opposite move.
On the 4th, agency Fantagio said in an official statement, "We will explain additional facts and our position regarding the one-person corporation of Kim Seon-ho recently reported in the media."
According to the agency, Kim Seon-ho established the corporation in January 2024 with the purpose of acting activities and theatrical production. After establishing the corporation, he received settlement payments through that corporation for activities up to February 2025 before signing a new exclusive contract with Fantagio.
But Fantagio said, "Kim Seon-ho recognized that the operation of the corporation itself could be misleading and subsequently stopped operating the corporation," and explained, "There has been no substantive activity through the corporation for more than a year."
It also drew a clear line regarding the contractual relationship with Fantagio. Fantagio emphasized, "Since signing the exclusive contract in February 2025, all settlement payments have been paid directly to the actor," and stressed, "The contract process and activities between Fantagio and Kim Seon-ho have no relationship with that corporation."
Regarding the corporate closure procedure, it said, "As a preemptive measure to correct the lack of sufficient understanding of corporate operations at the time, Kim Seon-ho returned the past corporate card usage records, family salaries, and the corporate vehicle." It added, "For the amounts previously settled through the corporation, personal income tax has been paid in addition to the corporate tax already paid, and the corporate closure procedures are under way with administrative procedures to be completed soon."
Kim Seon-ho also said he reflects on his ignorance. He said, "I deeply reflect on establishing the corporation without fully understanding corporate operations and maintaining it for about a year," and apologized, "I bow my head and am sorry." Fantagio also said, "We apologize for causing confusion and concern," and added, "We will make every effort to more closely manage the overall activities of our contracted actors going forward."
Fantagio's position is a completely different move from how it handled the earlier controversy involving Cha Eun-woo. Cha Eun-woo was recently notified by the National Tax Service of a tax assessment in the 20 billion won range.
In response, agency Fantagio said, "The main issue is whether the corporation established by Cha Eun-woo's mother is subject to substantive taxation, and this matter has not been finally determined or notified; we will actively explain the issues related to legal interpretation and application through proper procedures."
However, Fantagio refrained from commenting on Cha Eun-woo's hiring of a law firm, alleged enlistment to evade investigation, and the start of an investigation by Ganghwa County Office, saying, "We ask for your understanding that it is difficult to confirm those matters."
Later, Cha Eun-woo spoke directly, saying, "I will faithfully participate in the tax-related procedures going forward. I will humbly accept the results according to the final judgment from the relevant authorities and fulfill my responsibilities accordingly," and added, "I will reflect on myself more strictly and live with a greater sense of responsibility to repay the love I have received. I sincerely apologize again for causing concern."
As the controversy grew, Fantagio said in a second statement, "The matter currently raised is at the stage where facts are being verified according to tax authorities' procedures, and the agency and the artists are faithfully participating in investigations within the necessary scope. If legal and administrative judgments become clear, we will responsibly take necessary measures according to the results," and explained, "We earnestly ask that people refrain from indiscriminate speculation, the spread of unverified information, and excessive overinterpretation regarding claims and suspicions raised by some."
Fantagio's acknowledgment of Kim Seon-ho's tax evasion while saying it will fully explain Cha Eun-woo's tax evasion allegations draws attention because the agency made opposite choices for the same risk.
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]