Cha Eun-woo, a member of the boy group ASTRO and an actor, has found himself embroiled in controversy over allegations of tax evasion amounting to 20 billion KRW. As public scrutiny grows, his agency, Fantagio, has issued a formal apology to the public.

On January 27, Fantagio released an official statement: "We sincerely apologize for causing concern to many due to various circumstances involving both our company and our artist, Cha Eun-woo. We take full responsibility for the controversy stemming from matters related to our company and the artist."

The agency further stated, "The issue currently at hand is under review through the proper procedures by tax authorities, and both the agency and the artist are faithfully cooperating with the investigation within the necessary scope. Should any legal or administrative decisions be reached in the future, we will respond responsibly and carry out any required actions accordingly."

Fantagio also appealed to the public: "We earnestly ask that people refrain from unfounded speculation, the spread of unverified information, or excessive over-interpretation regarding the allegations raised in some quarters."

The agency emphasized that "this incident will serve as an occasion to thoroughly reassess our artist management system, to strengthen and supplement any necessary measures, and to do our utmost to prevent similar controversies from occurring again in the future."

The controversy began on January 22, when one media report claimed that Cha Eun-woo had received notification from the National Tax Service of an additional tax assessment exceeding 20 billion KRW due to allegations of income tax evasion. The unprecedented scale of the penalty, one of the largest ever imposed on a Korean entertainer, fueled further public outrage.

Addressing the controversy directly on January 26, Cha Eun-woo stated, "I am sorry for causing such distress and exhaustion when I should have been repaying the love I've received over the past 11 years." He pledged to "faithfully cooperate with future tax-related procedures and humbly accept the final decision of the authorities."

Below is Fantagio's full official statement:

"Hello, this is Fantagio.

We sincerely apologize for causing concern to many due to various circumstances involving both our company and our artist, Cha Eun-woo.

We take full responsibility for the controversy stemming from matters related to our company and the artist.

The issue currently at hand is under review through the proper procedures by tax authorities, and both the agency and the artist are faithfully cooperating with the investigation within the necessary scope. Should any legal or administrative decisions be reached in the future, we will respond responsibly and carry out any required actions accordingly.

However, we earnestly ask that people refrain from unfounded speculation, the spread of unverified information, or excessive over-interpretation regarding the allegations raised in some quarters.

This incident will serve as an occasion to thoroughly reassess our artist management system, strengthen and supplement any necessary measures, and do our utmost to prevent similar controversies from occurring again in the future.

Thank you."

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=MHN DB