Fantagio Acknowledges Severe Penalty Connected to ASTRO Cha Eunwoo Case
Cha Eunwoo is facing major tax controversy as his agency Fantagio confirms a massive fine related to his earnings.
Fantagio admitted on January 29 that they were fined ₩8.20 billion KRW (about $5.73 million USD) last year. Earlier reports said ₩8.50 billion KRW, but the agency corrected the number.
The fine ties directly to Cha Eunwoo’s tax issues. The idol-actor was investigated in 2025 for evading income tax by routing money through his mother’s one-person agency. Authorities slapped him with a ₩20.0 billion KRW (about $14.0 million USD) tax bill—one of the biggest in South Korean celebrity history.
The National Tax Service found Fantagio also got unfair tax benefits via financial dealings with Eunwoo’s agency. This led to the company’s ₩8.2 billion fine.
Speculation is swirling on whether Fantagio will demand Cha Eunwoo cover the penalty. Industry insiders say it’s unlikely since he’s a major revenue driver for the agency.
Some experts even suggest Fantagio might have helped Eunwoo evade taxes.
