Astro’s Cha Eunwoo Allegedly Engages NewJeans’ Legal Team Over Tax Evasion Case

Cha Eunwoo is facing a massive tax evasion scandal.

The National Tax Service hit him with a ₩20.0 billion KRW ($13.8 million USD) tax bill. This is the largest tax levy ever on a Korean celebrity.

The trouble started after an intense investigation into Cha Eunwoo’s finances last year. Authorities say he used a one-person agency run by his mother to hide income and cut taxes.

Cha Eunwoo’s income was split between his agency Fantagio, his mother’s corporation, and himself. The tax office claims the corporation was a paper company that didn’t actually provide services. They say this setup helped Cha Eunwoo avoid paying the much higher personal income tax rate.

In response, Cha Eunwoo hired the major law firm Sejong to build a legal defense. They will try to prove his mother’s company is legitimate and actually provided services.

Fantagio also got fined ₩8.20 billion KRW ($5.67 million USD) for false tax invoices linked to Cha Eunwoo’s mother’s firm. They have a separate law firm, Yulchon, handling their case, but the National Tax Service rejected their tax objection review.

Fantagio said about the law firm hires:

“Unable to confirm.”

Cha Eunwoo enlisted in the military band last July. He has not commented on the tax evasion claims yet.

“The main issue in this matter is whether the corporation established by Cha Eunwoo’s mother is subject to substantive taxation. This issue has not been finally confirmed or notified, and we plan to actively explain through proper procedures regarding the legal interpretation and application issues.” — Fantagio

This scandal is heating up fast, with Cha Eunwoo gearing up for a serious legal battle. Fans and the industry are watching closely.