Cha Eun-woo’s Tax Controversy Expands to Family Business Claims

ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun-woo’s ongoing tax controversy has recently expanded to include claims surrounding a restaurant previously operated by his parents. In response, his agency Fantagio has issued a clarification regarding the business’s ownership and operations.

How the Confusion Began

On February 4, a Fantagio representative told News1 that the restaurant currently operating under the name Eoyeoyeon Cheongdam is not connected to Eoyeoyeon Charcoal Eel, a grilled eel restaurant that opened in Ganghwa Island in October 2022 and was run by Cha Eun-woo’s parents.

The Ganghwa Island eel restaurant gained attention after reports revealed that it shared an address with a one-person corporation established by Cha Eun-woo’s mother a company now central to the actor’s tax investigation. This overlap led to speculation online that the Ganghwa business had relocated to Seoul’s Cheongdam district under a new name.

Fantagio firmly denied those claims, reiterating that Eoyeoyeon Cheongdam is managed independently by Fantagio M and has no corporate or operational ties to the family-run restaurant.

Background on the Tax Investigation

Cha Eun-woo has been under scrutiny since late January following reports that South Korea’s National Tax Service conducted a high-level audit related to a personal agency established by his mother. Authorities reportedly issued a notice for additional income tax exceeding 200 billion KRW, though the case has not been finalized.

Fantagio previously stated that the central issue concerns whether the one-person corporation qualifies as a legitimate taxable entity, emphasizing that no final ruling has been made and that the company plans to submit explanations through proper legal procedures.

Cha Eun-woo’s Response

On January 26, Cha Eun-woo addressed the controversy directly via Instagram, writing: “I sincerely apologize for causing concern and disappointment through recent issues related to me. This experience has made me reflect deeply on whether I have been sufficiently strict in fulfilling my duty as a citizen regarding taxation.” He added that he is cooperating fully with the process and taking the matter seriously.

Current Status

As of now, no final judgment has been announced regarding the tax case. Fantagio maintains that clarifying misinformation including claims surrounding unrelated businesses is essential to preventing further misunderstanding while legal reviews continue.