South Korean heartthrob Cha Eun Woo has broken his silence after being embroiled in tax evasion allegations, issuing a personal apology on his Instagram, pledging full cooperation with authorities.
The 28-year-old ASTRO member, best known for K-dramas such as Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019) and A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023), addressed the controversy on January 26, which surfaced while he is currently on hiatus serving mandatory military service.
“I sincerely apologise for causing concern and disappointment to many people due to various issues related to me recently. I am deeply reflecting on whether my attitude towards fulfilling my duty as a taxpayer in South Korea has been sufficiently strict, using this incident as an opportunity for self-examination,” he wrote on Instagram, his post accompanied by a plain black image.
This is the first time Eun Woo has personally commented on the issue since reports surfaced.
“Over the past few days, I agonised over how to convey my remorse to those hurt by my actions. I worried that a lengthy explanation might sound like an excuse or cause further fatigue, but I realised it was my duty to address this matter directly and apologise,” he added.
The IG post followed media reports that South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) had issued additional income tax assessments exceeding 20 billion won (S$14 million), fuelling allegations of tax evasion.
In response, Eun Woo’s agency Fantagio clarified that the investigation has yet to be finalised, stressing that no official notice or confirmed penalty has been issued.
Authorities are reportedly examining whether Eun Woo channelled entertainment income through a company registered under his mother’s name, which allegedly allowed him to reduce his tax liabilities.
The company was said to have signed a contract with Fantagio to support his entertainment activities, with profits divided among Eun Woo, Fantagio, and the firm according to an agreed ratio.
It was also revealed that his mother has established another company, LNC, which was rebranded as The Annie, and is allegedly linked to the management of the idol’s real estate assets.
Eun Woo also addressed speculation surrounding the timing of his enlistment, denying claims that he joined the army to avoid scrutiny.
He enlisted in July 2025 and is currently serving as part of a military band. He is slated to be discharged from his mandatory military service in January 2027.
“My enlistment was not an intentional choice to avoid this controversy,” he said, explaining that he had reached a point where his service could no longer be postponed despite the ongoing tax probe, and had enlisted without finishing investigations.
Prior to his statement, netizens had criticised the actor online, with some accusing him of receiving special treatment and suggesting his enlistment was timed so the controversy would fade before his discharge.
It was also alleged that Eun Woo negotiated with the NTS to delay issuing the official audit results notice until his military enlistment process was completed.
“If I were not a soldier, I would visit everyone affected by this issue in person to apologise,” he added.
Following his IG post, many fans rallied behind him, flooding the comments section with messages of support and encouragement.
Despite the controversy, Eun Woo continues to hold multiple brand endorsement deals as of January 2026. He remains a global ambassador for luxury brands such as Dior, Burberry, Chaumet, and Calvin Klein, while also representing brands like Abib, Skechers, and Shinhan Bank.
However, skincare brand Abib appeared to distance itself from the actor after switching promotional videos featuring Cha to private on YouTube on January 22, while posts announcing him as brand ambassador were removed from X. His profile images remain on Abib’s official website.
Advertisements for Shinhan Bank featuring him have been made private on the bank’s YouTube and social media channels as of January 23. Eun Woo became a model for the bank’s financial services in early 2025.
As of now, Eun Woo is still slated to appear in Netflix’s upcoming superhero comedy series The Wonderfools this year, though there is no confirmed date for its release.