Cha Eun-woo Faces $15 Million Tax Evasion Allegations Amidst Support from International Fans

K-pop star and actor Cha Eun-woo has recently found himself embroiled in a tax evasion scandal involving approximately $15 million. Despite the allegations, international fans have rallied in support of the star.

As of 9 AM on the 27th, Cha Eun-woo's apology post is flooded with supportive comments from his overseas fans. They express unwavering support with messages like, "We believe in you and will always support you," "Everyone makes mistakes, so don't bow your head in shame," "Stay strong and keep fighting, we're with you," "I'll always cheer for you, take care of your health," and "We'll be here waiting for you."

Even though Cha Eun-woo ranks sixth among celebrities involved in tax evasion, following Fan Bingbing's $100 million, Zheng Shuang's $38 million, and Cristiano Ronaldo's $18 million cases, his international fanbase continues to show their support.

On the 22nd, it was reported that Cha Eun-woo received a notice from the National Tax Service regarding over $15 million in additional taxes. The agency suspects that he used a company under his mother's name to distribute income, thereby benefiting from a lower corporate tax rate instead of personal income tax. The company in question is believed to be a shell company providing no actual services.

Cha Eun-woo's agency, Fantagio, stated that the core issue is whether the company established by his mother is subject to actual taxation. They emphasized that the matter is not yet finalized and that they will actively clarify their position through legal procedures. Currently, Cha Eun-woo has appointed the law firm Sejong to contest the decision and has filed a pre-assessment review.

Four days after the allegations surfaced, on the 26th, Cha Eun-woo took to Instagram to express his remorse, stating, "As a citizen of South Korea, I am reflecting deeply on whether my attitude towards fulfilling my tax obligations was sufficiently rigorous." He also committed to diligently participating in the upcoming tax-related procedures.

By Dayeon Jeong, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr