ASTRO group member and actor Cha Eun-woo bowed his head to fans and moved to smooth things over regarding the recent allegations of a high-value tax issue.
On the 8th, Cha Eun-woo said on his social media that he sincerely apologizes for letting down and confusing fans over the recent tax-related controversy. He also asked for understanding for the delay in issuing a statement, explaining that it was due to the progress of administrative procedures. He further made it clear that he had paid all related taxes in line with the National Tax Service’s findings.
The controversy began after allegations surfaced that taxes were evaded through a corporation established by Cha Eun-woo’s mother. During the investigation, it was revealed that an additional tax bill—amounting to roughly 20 billion won—had been imposed, shocking the public and triggering sharp criticism over whether the corporation’s establishment was intentional.
In response, Cha Eun-woo chose to confront the issue head-on. He explained that he established a corporation to continue his activities in a stable manner, but that there were parts he failed to examine in sufficient detail during the process. He emphasized that he would not shirk responsibility by claiming that he was unaware for any reason or that it was someone else’s judgment. In particular, he added that responsibility for this matter rests entirely with him—not his family or his company.
Cha Eun-woo said that this incident became an opportunity for him to reflect on himself and that, above all, he felt the most pained and truly sorry for disappointing the fans. He then promised to work even harder to ensure that the same issue does not happen again by checking every aspect of his future activities under stricter standards and taking responsibility for his actions.
As Cha Eun-woo, who paid in full the additional tax bill of approximately 20 billion won that was at the center of the controversy and completed his legal obligations, aims to win back public trust through a sincere apology and resume active promotions once again, attention is focused on what comes next.
Below is the full text of Cha Eun-woo’s SNS post.
This is Cha Eun-woo.
I sincerely apologize to many of you, including my fans, for disappointing and confusing you due to the tax-related controversy involving me recently.
During the process in which various administrative procedures were carried out, I had to be careful about speaking my position, and I apologize once again for the fact that the timing of my statement was delayed because of that.
It’s late, but even now, I want to share my thoughts and my position directly once again.
I respect the procedures and results of the National Tax Service, and I have paid all relevant taxes so that no further confusion will continue.
I will also handle the remaining procedures faithfully.
Because I have been able to carry out my activities thanks to the love and encouragement of so many people, I am taking this matter very seriously and reflecting on it deeply.
If there are parts I didn’t look into thoroughly enough, then the responsibility is entirely mine. I won’t try to avoid responsibility by saying I was “unaware,” or that it was “someone else’s judgment,” for any reason whatsoever.
During a period when there were many changes and confusion in my activities, I prepared to continue my work more steadily, and in that process I established a corporation. But looking back now, I believe there were still parts I did not examine sufficiently, and that responsibility lies with me—not my family or my company.
Through this incident, I truly felt that I need to look back at myself. Above all, I am most heartbroken and sorry that I disappointed the fans who believed in me—Aroha as well.
So that the same issues do not repeat again, I will review every aspect of my future activities more carefully and under stricter standards.
I will continue striving to become Cha Eun-woo who takes full responsibility for my choices and actions right to the very end.
Once again, I sincerely offer my deep apologies.
Thank you for reading my long message.
