Agency denies Kim Seon-ho tax evasion

Feb 05, 2026, 08:18 am

Actor Kim Seon-ho has become embroiled in allegations of tax evasion involving a family-named corporation, prompting his agency Fantagio to issue a detailed explanation.

In an official statement released Tuesday, Fantagio said it was clarifying additional facts surrounding Kim’s one-person company following recent media reports.

According to the agency, Kim established the corporation in January 2024 for acting activities and theater production. Until he signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio in February 2025, settlement payments were made through the company. After the contract took effect, however, all payments have been made under Kim’s personal name, and the agency stressed that the corporation has had no involvement in his activities since.

Fantagio said Kim decided to suspend the company’s operations after recognizing that its structure could lead to misunderstandings. The agency added that there has been no substantive business activity through the corporation for more than a year. Corporate credit card usage, family salary payments and the use of a corporate vehicle were all terminated, it said.

The agency also stated that Kim has paid additional personal income tax on earnings previously settled through the corporation, on top of corporate taxes already paid. The company is currently in the process of being officially closed, with administrative procedures nearing completion.

“Kim Seon-ho deeply reflects on the fact that the corporation was established and maintained without sufficient understanding,” Fantagio said, conveying the actor’s apology.

The controversy surfaced after reports alleged that Kim had previously received entertainment income through a corporation registered under a family member’s name. Questions were raised over whether the entity was a shell company, as it was not registered as an entertainment management business and shared the same address as Kim’s residence. Some reports also claimed that the National Tax Service had notified Kim of a large additional tax assessment.

Fantagio said it would strengthen oversight of its artists’ activities going forward.

In the wake of the controversy, the advertising and broadcasting industries are closely monitoring developments. Fashion brand Beanpole has made private its teaser images and videos featuring Kim for its 2026 spring collection and has not released the main campaign video as planned.

Meanwhile, several health supplement and cosmetics brands continue to run advertisements featuring Kim. The upcoming theater production Secret Passage, set to open on Feb. 13, is proceeding as scheduled, with performances featuring Kim already sold out.

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