'The Wonder Fools' director Yoo In-sik commented on Cha Eun-woo's 20 billion won tax evasion controversy.
On the morning of the 12th, at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Grand Ballroom in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a production presentation for Netflix's new series 'The Wonder Fools' was held. Director Yoo In-sik and lead actors Park Eunbin, Choi Dae-hoon, Lim Seong-jae, Kim Hae-sook, Son Hyunjoo, Jung I-seo, Choi Yoon-ji, Bae Na-ra, and others attended. The male lead Cha Eun-woo did not attend because he is currently serving in the military.
Netflix's new work 'The Wonder Fools' is set at the end of the century in 1999 and depicts the story of neighborhood dimwits who accidentally gain supernatural powers and struggle to protect the world from villains who threaten peace. It is a supernatural comic-adventure in which somewhat imperfect bunglers come together, accidentally gain supernatural powers, and save the world.
Park Eunbin, Cha Eun-woo, Choi Dae-hoon, and Lim Seong-jae portray Haesung City's official hot mess 'Eunchaeni,' mysterious Haesung city hall employee 'Lee Un-jeong,' Haesung City's biggest troublemaker 'Son Kyung-hoon,' and Haesung City's gullible guy 'Kang Robin,' respectively, showcasing a four-person, four-color character battle and the chemistry of TEAM The Wonder Fools. In addition, distinctive characters played by Kim Hae-sook, Son Hyunjoo, Jung I-seo, Choi Yoon-ji, and Bae Na-ra offer a unique ensemble, and the well-made production that perfectly recreates the end-of-century sentiment when 1999 doomsday theories were rampant is another viewing highlight.
However, 'The Wonder Fools' was embroiled in controversy outside the work when lead Cha Eun-woo's tax evasion scandal broke ahead of its release.
Cha Eun-woo was subject to an intensive investigation by the Seoul Regional Tax Service's Investigation Division 4 before enlisting last July on suspicion of tax evasion, and it was reported that he was notified of a tax bill exceeding 20 billion won, causing social uproar. The controversy grew when company A, an eel restaurant run by Cha Eun-woo's mother, was detected, and as a result, Fantagio was notified of 8.2 billion won and company A, including Cha Eun-woo, was notified of 20 billion won in tax assessments. This is the largest assessment imposed on an entertainer to date, and Cha Eun-woo's side filed a preassessment review against the tax office's decision and hired a major law firm to respond.
In the end, Cha Eun-woo bowed his head by paying 13 billion won to the National Tax Service in April this year. On his personal social media, he repeatedly apologized, saying, "I respect the National Tax Service's procedures and results, and I have paid the related taxes in full to prevent further confusion. I will faithfully attend to the remaining procedures."
Director Yoo In-sik opened up about Cha Eun-woo's tax evasion controversy, saying, "At that time, I learned of the matter through articles when editing and postproduction were already completed."
It is known that no special edits were made regarding Cha Eun-woo's screen time, and he said, "This project was my long-held dream, and everyone working here worked hard to capture every second, every second of a shot. While other dramas may be difficult, this was a production that suffered more than others. We proceeded with editing and postproduction with the overall completeness of the drama as the top priority. Therefore, I don't think I can give specific remarks about personal issues at the production presentation. I ask for your deep understanding."
About first working with actor Cha Eun-woo, director Yoo In-sik said, "It must have been a new kind of challenge for all the actors, not only for Cha Eun-woo in terms of emotional acting or physical performances," and added, "It had to be devotedly realized for all the ensemble to fit together. Cha Eun-woo also approached it passionately like all the actors. I am satisfied with the result."
Meanwhile, 'The Wonder Fools' will be released to more than 190 countries worldwide through Netflix on the 15th.
[Photo] Reporter Ji Hyung-jun
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