Cha Eun-woo faces tax probe and ad controversy

Jan 26, 2026, 09:03 am

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Cha Eun-woo of the K-pop group ASTRO. / Fantagio

Controversy surrounding Cha Eun-woo, a member of the K-pop group ASTRO, is intensifying as allegations of large-scale tax evasion have been followed by renewed scrutiny over a past “undisclosed advertising” controversy involving an eel restaurant allegedly linked to his family.

The latest debate stems from a social media post Cha uploaded in September 2022, showing him visiting an eel restaurant in Ganghwa County, Incheon. The restaurant later shared the post on its own social media channels, promoting itself with phrases such as “Cha Eun-woo, the face genius, visited,” “He enjoyed the food and even posted about it himself,” and “It’s no secret he comes here often.”

The restaurant also gained attention after being introduced as a local favorite on the JTBC variety show Let’s Eat GO later that November. Although Cha did not appear on the program, it was referred to as “Cha Eun-woo’s regular spot,” drawing further public interest.

The controversy resurfaced after reports revealed that the restaurant’s former address matched that of a company established by Cha’s mother, identified by the surname Choi. The company was reportedly founded in 2022 for management-related purposes and later changed its registered address to the Ganghwa eel restaurant during a corporate name change process. The restaurant subsequently relocated to Cheongdam-dong in Seoul, while the company’s registered address was moved to Nonhyeon-dong, also in Seoul.

Online commentators have raised suspicions that the restaurant may have been family-run and that Cha benefited from promotional exposure through social media and television without disclosing that connection, potentially constituting undisclosed advertising. The issue has drawn renewed attention amid recent reports of a tax investigation involving the singer.

According to industry sources, the Seoul Regional Tax Office’s Investigation Bureau 4 conducted an intensive tax audit of Cha in the first half of last year and reportedly notified him of additional income tax assessments exceeding 20 billion won (approximately $150 million). Tax authorities are said to have focused on income structures in which earnings were allegedly distributed among Cha’s agency Fantagio, a company established by his mother, and Cha himself. The company in question was reportedly deemed a paper entity with no substantial business activity.

In response, Fantagio released an official statement on Jan. 22, saying the key issue is whether the company established by Cha’s mother qualifies as a legitimate taxable entity. “This matter has not been finalized or formally assessed,” the agency said, adding that it would actively explain its position through proper legal procedures regarding the interpretation and application of tax law.

Fantagio also emphasized that Cha and his tax representatives would cooperate fully with the process, stating that “Cha Eun-woo, as a citizen, will faithfully fulfill his tax reporting duties and legal obligations.”

The agency stressed that the allegations remain under review and have not been conclusively determined.

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