Following allegations of tax evasion against ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun-woo, actor Kim Sun-ho is now facing similar accusations. Both actors are represented by the same agency, drawing significant attention to the situation. Kim Sun-ho's team quickly issued a statement, but some observers noted that certain issues remain unclear.
According to a report by Sports Kyunghyang, Kim Sun-ho is suspected of engaging in tax evasion through a family corporation he operates separately from his agency. The report claims that Kim established a performance planning company at his residence in Yongsan, Seoul, with himself as the CEO, while his parents serve as internal directors and auditors. The media raised suspicions that this arrangement might be intended for flexible management of company funds within the family.
In response to the report, Fantagio stated, "Kim Sun-ho has signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio under his personal name and is currently complying with all legal and tax procedures related to his contract and activities. We want to clarify that there are no issues regarding Kim Sun-ho's contract and activities with Fantagio."
They further added, "The one-person corporation mentioned in the report was established for theater production and related activities, and it was not created for the purpose of intentional tax evasion. However, since transferring to Fantagio, actual business activities have not been conducted for over a year, and we are currently in the process of closing the corporation in accordance with relevant laws and procedures."
However, the statement did not address specific details regarding the personal use of corporate credit cards or salaries paid to his parents. Sports Kyunghyang reported that Kim Sun-ho allegedly used corporate bank accounts to pay his parents monthly salaries amounting to hundreds of thousands to millions of won, which were then transferred back to him. Additionally, it was reported that his parents used the corporate credit card for personal expenses, including living costs and entertainment, and that a Genesis GV80 was registered under the corporation's name. Sports Kyunghyang expressed concerns that this could indicate an intention to reduce corporate taxes by inflating company expenses, suggesting that the personal use of corporate cards could constitute embezzlement or breach of trust.
Fantagio acknowledged the existence of the corporation, stating that it is "in the process of closing down." However, regarding the personal use of corporate cards and salaries paid to his parents, they only reiterated that Kim Sun-ho is complying with legal and tax procedures. It appears that Fantagio opted to convey a message of compliance rather than provide detailed explanations, likely to mitigate the controversy's impact. Nevertheless, some netizens are demanding clearer explanations, especially given the recent tax issues surrounding Cha Eun-woo at Fantagio. Sports Kyunghyang also expressed skepticism, questioning whether Fantagio was aware of and overlooked these issues. The establishment of Kim Sun-ho's one-person corporation occurred in January 2024, about a year before he signed a contract with Fantagio in March of the previous year. If Fantagio was aware of the corporation's existence and did not take action, they may face criticism for their delayed response following the Cha Eun-woo incident.
Hello.
This is Fantagio, the agency representing actor Kim Sun-ho.
We would like to officially address the recent reports regarding Kim Sun-ho's operation of a one-person corporation.
Currently, Kim Sun-ho has signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio under his personal name and is diligently complying with all legal and tax procedures related to his contract and activities.
We want to clarify that there are no issues regarding Kim Sun-ho's contract and activities with Fantagio.
The one-person corporation mentioned in the report was established for theater production and related activities, and it was not created for the purpose of intentional tax evasion. However, since transferring to Fantagio, actual business activities have not been conducted for over a year, and we are currently in the process of closing the corporation in accordance with relevant laws and procedures.
We will continue to comply with all laws and procedures in our activities and will do our best to ensure that the actor's work proceeds without unnecessary misunderstandings.
Thank you.
Best regards, Fantagio
* This article has been translated by AI.
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