According to Korean media reports, Cha Eun Woo has been ordered to pay more than ₩200 billion KRW (about NT$500 million) in unpaid taxes, marking what is described as the highest tax case involving a Korean entertainer to date. Although the actor is currently serving in the military, he issued an emergency apology to address the situation. Despite this, the backlash has continued, with several endorsement brands distancing themselves and the South Korean military reportedly removing related promotional videos.
The controversy was widely covered by Taiwanese news outlets, including Sanli’s iNEWS. During a broadcast segment on the topic, host Yang Zhi-Yu attracted unexpected attention when cameras caught her tilting her head towards a large background image of Cha Eun Woo during a commercial break, creating a brief “same frame” moment between the two.
The clip only lasted a second or two, but Yang was seen smiling shyly, appearing slightly embarrassed by her own spontaneous gesture. The moment quickly went viral after viewers uploaded the footage online, jokingly comparing the scene to a photo booth snapshot.
In one day, the video garnered more than 60,000 likes and thousands of comments. Netizens reacted humorously with remarks like “Is this about using public equipment for personal reasons?”, “If it’s free, you’d be foolish not to take the photo.” AND “This is the closest thing in her hosting career to being in the same frame as Cha Eun Woo.” Others added playful comments like “Evading taxes is no good, but running away into my arms is” AND “No one can keep a straight face when they see Cha Eun Woo.”
Yang Zhi-Yu later shared the clip herself on social media, writing: “I noticed Cha Eun Woo next to me when we went to the commercial,” expressing his amusement at this now-viral moment.
Meanwhile, the legal implications for Cha Eun Woo remain serious. Under South Korean law, tax evasion exceeding ₩1 billion KRW can fall under the Law on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, carrying potential penalties of five years in prison or more and, in extreme cases, even life imprisonment. As the investigation continues, the scandal poses a significant threat to the actor’s career and public image.
What began as a serious legal dispute then took an unexpected viral turn, showing how celebrity news can spark moments of levity even in the midst of a scandal, especially when broadcast live on television.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
