Online reactions spread after ASTRO member Cha Eun-woo, who has faced allegations of tax evasion, paid 20 billion won in taxes in full.
On the 9th, posts about the payment appeared across online communities.
One user claimed Cha paid in a hurry because “Netflix penalties are scarier than 20 billion won,” adding that a project he appears in is set to be released about a month later.
Other commenters wrote, “He paid because he needed to, not because he reflected at all,” and suggested he may have weighed potential Netflix penalties and future earnings. Another comment questioned whether he believed the impact would be limited because overseas viewers would still watch.
A different user argued that even if he wanted to pay earlier, it may not have been possible, saying the tax notice was issued only recently.
The user said there is a voluntary payment system, but payment can be difficult when it is unclear whether the income is personal or corporate, making it hard for authorities to accept payment.
Attention also turned to Cha’s upcoming Netflix series, “The Wonder Fools.” Netflix has previously maintained that there would be no change to the planned release schedule despite the controversy.
“The Wonder Fools” is described as a superpower comedy action-adventure set in 1999, when doomsday theories were widespread, in which a group of ordinary neighborhood misfits gain powers through an unexpected incident and fight a villain threatening peace in Haeseong City. Cha is reported to play a rule-bound civil servant.
A day earlier, Cha posted an apology on Instagram, saying, “I sincerely apologize for disappointing and confusing many people, including fans, due to the recent tax-payment controversy involving me.”
He said he respected the National Tax Service’s procedures and results and paid all related taxes, adding that he would faithfully follow the remaining steps. “As someone who has worked with so much love and support, I am taking this matter more seriously and deeply,” he said.
He added that if there were areas he failed to examine closely, the responsibility was his, and said he would not evade accountability by claiming ignorance or blaming someone else. He said he would review his activities with more careful and stricter standards to prevent a repeat.
Cha was notified by the National Tax Service on Jan. 22 that he would be assessed more than 20 billion won in additional taxes, including income tax. The amount he actually paid was estimated at about 13 billion won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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