Cha Eun-woo, a South Korean singer and actor, said he has paid roughly $150 million in tax penalties and accepted responsibility in a case that has drawn a sharp public backlash.
In a statement released April 8 local time, Cha said he respects the tax authority’s procedures and conclusions and settled all outstanding amounts to prevent further controversy. He added that he would comply fully with any remaining administrative steps.
“If there were aspects I failed to review carefully, that responsibility lies entirely with me,” he said, adding that he would not deflect blame by claiming ignorance or attributing decisions to others.
The dispute stems from a corporation established by his mother, which authorities later determined should be treated as subject to personal taxation. The resulting assessment—about $150 million—has been widely reported as the largest tax penalty imposed on an individual entertainer in South Korea.
At the time, his agency said the key issue was whether the entity qualified as a separate taxable corporation and noted that the matter had not been finalized. Cha’s latest statement is being viewed as an acknowledgment of tax liability.
Public reaction has been largely critical, with many questioning the timing of his admission and expressing skepticism about a potential return to entertainment activities.
Cha enlisted in July last year and is currently serving in a military band. He is scheduled to be discharged on January 27, 2027. He is also set to appear in the Netflix series “The Wonderfools,” though no release date has been announced.
