Actor Cha Eun-woo. Photo courtesy of|Yonhap News Agency

Group ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun-woo, who faces ‘200 billion KRW tax evasion’ allegations, announced that he had paid all taxes. As the release of his upcoming Netflix OTT platform series ‘Wonderfuls’ approaches, could his ‘voluntary tax payment’ help refresh his image.

Cha Eun-woo stated on the afternoon of the 8th on social media, “I respect the National Tax Service procedures and outcome, and I have paid all related taxes to prevent further confusion” and “I will also faithfully engage with the remaining procedures.”

He said, “I sincerely apologize for causing disappointment and confusion to many, including fans, due to the recent tax controversy concerning me. As multiple administrative procedures were underway, I had no choice but to be cautious in stating my position, and I apologize once more for the delay that resulted,” and added, “Although it is late, I would like to directly convey my thoughts and position now.”

Cha Eun-woo of ASTRO, facing allegations of tax avoidance worth around the 200 billion KRW range. Kyunghyang Shinmun file photo

He also said, “As I have worked under the love and support of many, I am taking this matter even more seriously and deeply,” and “If there were parts I failed to scrutinize sufficiently, all of that responsibility lies with me. I will not evade this with words like ‘I did not know’ or ‘it was the judgment of someone else’ for any reason.”

He went on to acknowledge, “During a period of various changes and confusion in my career, I established a corporation as part of preparations to continue my work more stably. Looking back now, there were aspects in that process that I did not examine closely enough, and I believe the responsibility rests with me, not with my family or my company.”

Furthermore, he bowed his head, saying, “Through this incident, I acutely felt that I must look back on myself. Above all, the fact that I have disappointed the fans who have trusted me, AROHA, pains me most and I am sorry. To prevent a recurrence of the same problem, I will review all of my future activities with more cautious and rigorous standards,” and added, “I will strive, again and again, to become Cha Eun-woo who takes full responsibility to the end for my choices and actions.”

On January 22, Cha Eun-woo became embroiled in tax evasion allegations in the 200 billion KRW range involving a one-person agency established by his mother. The National Tax Service judged the entity to be a paper company run without substantive services and notified an additional assessment of income tax exceeding 200 billion KRW. His agency Fantagio drew a line, saying, “This is not a matter that has been finally confirmed and notified at present,” and added, “We intend to actively explain, in accordance with due procedures, the issues concerning the interpretation and application of the law.”

Cha Eun-woo in Netflix ‘Wonderfuls’.

This also cast a shadow over the next project by Cha Eun-woo. ‘Wonderfuls’ is a superpower comic action adventure set in 1999, when apocalyptic theories were in vogue, about neighborhood bunglers who gain superpowers through an unexpected incident and fight villains that threaten the peace of Haeseong City. Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo completed filming together, but attention focused on whether it would be released due to the tax evasion allegations. However, Netflix was firm, saying, “As announced at the Next on Netflix event, there is no change to the second-quarter release (which includes ‘Wonderfuls’).” In addition, ‘Wonderfuls’ will open to about 190 countries worldwide on the afternoon of May 15 as initially scheduled, and a production presentation will be held on May 12.

What remains is Cha Eun-woo’s tarnished image. He had long been much loved for a ‘upright young man’ and ‘face genius’ image, so the ‘200 billion KRW tax evasion’ allegations sparked significant public anger. Some argued that his direct announcement of ‘payment of taxes’ and the posting of an apology were aimed at quickly containing the situation and engineering a rebound.

Public sentiment, however, remains cold. “Tax evasion means not paying what you can pay. It amounts to boldly confessing to evasion” “He had the money to pay 20 billion, so why did he not pay” “Is he setting up a comeback. Retirement is the answer though” “Why did he not pay until now. Even though he could pay” “Treating something obvious as if it were a great deed. If he had not been caught, he would not have paid,” and other negative reactions continue.