NCT Members Reportedly Criticize ASTRO Cha Eunwoo Amid Tax Evasion Scandal

ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo is facing a major controversy over unpaid taxes.

The controversy began when Cha Eunwoo was accused of owing ₩20.0 billion KRW (about $13.8 million USD) in taxes. Allegedly, he used his mother’s restaurant to help evade these taxes.

As the situation unfolds, Cha Eunwoo has already lost several advertisement deals. Investigations are still ongoing.

Soon after the news broke, NCT members reacted during a live stream.

On January 23, NCT DREAM members Jeno and Jaemin were live from their hotel in Japan after their activities. When a fan commented, “pay your taxes well,” Jaemin read it aloud.

They responded casually, saying they pay taxes diligently—and laughed it off.

NCT Jaemin and Jeno reacting to tax comments — *NCT’s Jaemin (left) and Jeno (right) | @nct_dream*

Jaemin: “Pay your taxes”?
Jeno: “Of course”
Jaemin: “Yes, we’ve been paying diligently.”

The clip quickly went viral. Many netizens found the exchange hilarious.

They said things like:

“It really seems like he said that unconsciously, LMAOOOO it’s so funny LMAOOOO”
“So damn funny LMAOOOO isn’t it hilarious? LMAOOOO”
“I hate all men, but this is just ridiculously funny… there are so many crazy people…”

International fans also spotted the “shade” in their remarks toward Cha Eunwoo’s scandal.