On January 23, forums and social networks lit up with a post titled “The place people say is Cha Eunwoo’s paper company,” which pointed to the registered address of Company A, the entity that the National Tax Service flagged in its investigation. According to users, the company’s address in Ganghwa‑do, Incheon matches that of an eel restaurant once run by Cha Eunwoo’s parents. Founded in October 2022, the company would be registered under a standard industry classification for management services.
Amid this controversy, netizens dug up a September 2022 photo that Cha Eunwoo shared on his Instagram, taken in front of the same restaurant. Some posts even suggest that the image was used in promotional content on the restaurant’s social media, with captions such as “I ate a delicious eel and also posted about it. It’s no secret that I visit often,” suggesting a close connection.
At the time, many fans made light of the image, commenting positively like “He went to visit his parents for Chuseok.” But now, as the tax allegations intensify, that earlier photo has also come under criticism. Commenters reacted with incredulity, saying things like “It’s funny how they pretended it wasn’t a family promotion” AND “Use it for promotion and now claim it’s a paper company?” Many find it ironic that a shot in front of a parent’s restaurant has become part of the larger narrative around a huge tax dispute.
On January 22, Edaily reported that Cha Eunwoo had been subjected to a high-intensity tax audit by the Seoul Regional Tax Bureau’s Investigation Division 4. The National Tax Service concluded that the company founded by his mother did not provide substantial services and may have been used to divert income from higher personal tax rates, leading to an official notice demanding more than ₩20 billion in back taxes.
Cha Eunwoo’s side responded to questions from the media, pointing out that the main legal question is whether the company truly qualifies as a taxable entity. Cha Eunwoo’s side claims that the company is a legitimately registered entertainment planning company, not a mere paper company. Cha is currently awaiting the results of a pre-tax assessment.
Sources: Daum
