Cha Eun-woo's family-run eel restaurant is under scrutiny amid tax evasion claims, but his agency clarifies its independence.
February/4/2026 19:16Related Groups & Members
Amid allegations of tax evasion against ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo, his agency has distanced itself from suspicions surrounding the eel restaurant reportedly run by his family. A representative from Fantagio stated today (the 4th) to My Daily, 'The currently operating 'Ojeongyeon Cheongdam' is a completely separate corporation from 'Ojeongyeon Charcoal Grilled Eel' located in Ganghwa Island,' and clarified that 'Ojeongyeon Cheongdam' is operated by Fantagio M, a 100% subsidiary of Fantagio. Previously, claims had been raised in online communities that the eel restaurant 'Ojeongyeon Charcoal Grilled Eel,' run by Cha Eun-woo's mother, had relocated to Cheongdam-dong in Gangnam, Seoul, at the end of last year and reopened under the name 'Ojeongyeon Cheongdam.' In response, Fantagio explained that the restaurant in Ganghwa Island and the one in Cheongdam-dong are entirely different entities and are unrelated to Cha Eun-woo's family. They also stated that the view that the restaurant moved to Cheongdam-dong after the tax evasion controversy is not true. The core of the controversy lies in the existence of the corporation established by Cha Eun-woo's mother. Fantagio has explained that this corporation entered into a business consignment contract related to entertainment activities with the agency, but the National Tax Service has determined that actual service provision could not be confirmed, labeling it a so-called 'paper company.' During this process, it was revealed that the address of the corporation matched that of the eel restaurant in Ganghwa Island, leading to an expansion of the suspicions. The corporation initially had its headquarters in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, but moved its address to Ganghwa Island in Incheon in 2022, and then relocated again to an office in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, Seoul at the end of last year. Last year, Cha Eun-woo was notified of a tax reassessment amounting to about 20 billion won (over 20 million yen) after an investigation by the Seoul Regional Tax Office's Investigation Bureau 4. This is the largest case of tax reassessment among celebrities, causing significant repercussions.
Related Articles
Amid tax avoidance allegations against stars like ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo, the Korean Management Association urges reforms. They argue that the current tax system misinterprets personal corporations as mere tax evasion tools, failing to recognize their legitimate business roles in managing artists' careers and intellectual properties.
Yoon San-ha celebrates his birthday with the third installment of his concert series, 'SANiGHT Project #3', in Korea and Japan. The concerts will take place on March 21 in Seoul, April 10 in Osaka, and April 12 in Tokyo, allowing him to connect meaningfully with fans while reflecting on his journey and promises.
The release date for Netflix's 'Wonderfools,' starring ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo, is planned for Q2 2023, but no specific date has been confirmed. Netflix denied reports of a May 15 release, stating discussions are ongoing. The series features a comedic action adventure plot set in 1999, with Cha Eun-woo and Park Eun-bin in lead roles.
The Korean Taxpayers Alliance has raised concerns about a tax information leak involving ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo. They plan to report unnamed tax officials and the journalist who first reported the leak for violations of privacy laws and public secrets. The Alliance emphasizes the illegality of such leaks and calls for a thorough investigation by the National Tax Service.
Chanu's advertising model contract with LG U+ has concluded. He was under investigation for tax issues last year, resulting in a large tax bill. LG U+ stated the contract ended due to the completion of the term and has no plans for renewal. This situation has sparked considerable discussion in the entertainment industry.
January was eventful in the Korean entertainment scene, featuring BTS's comeback announcement and world tour dates, 2PM's Taecyeon revealing his fiancée's name during a live broadcast, BLACKPINK's Jennie's controversial birthday party, and ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo facing a tax scandal while in military service.
The Korean Taxpayer Alliance has defended ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo regarding a tax evasion allegation of approximately 20 billion won, arguing that presumption of innocence should be upheld. They criticized media assumptions about his mother's company being a shell corporation and highlighted the importance of taxpayer rights and proper legal processes.
ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo is under investigation for alleged tax evasion amounting to 20 billion won. His agency, Fantagio, confirmed a tax reassessment of 8.2 billion won, correcting earlier reports. Fantagio stated the main issue is whether a corporation established by Cha's mother is subject to taxation and plans to clarify legal interpretations while ensuring proper management of their artists moving forward.
ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo's company was investigated for tax issues by the Ganghwa County office, which coincided with its relocation to Seoul. Cha Eun-woo apologized for causing public concern and clarified that his military enlistment was not to evade tax issues. His agency stated they are cooperating with the investigation and will take necessary actions based on the findings.
ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo is embroiled in a tax evasion scandal involving 20 billion won. His agency, Fantagio, has also been hit with an 8.5 billion won tax penalty. Cha Eun-woo stated he did not intend to avoid the tax investigation while serving in the military. Fantagio expressed responsibility and urged against speculation.
