Lee Yi Kyung's agency apologizes for tax controversy involving one-man agency
As ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun Woo becomes embroiled in allegations of tax evasion involving approximately 20 billion won (approx. 13.6 million USD), he is now facing criticism for allegedly falsely promoting an eel restaurant operated by his parents as his personal favorite.
The controversy emerged amid continued public scrutiny over suspected tax evasion tied to a company associated with Cha Eun Woo's family. Attention has now turned to an eel restaurant he frequently described as one of his go-to places, which is reported to have ties to his parents.
Previously, on the JTBC variety show "MeokjaGO", which aired in November 2022, an eel restaurant was featured as a famous eatery in Ganghwa County, Incheon. It was highlighted as a restaurant that Cha Eun Woo regularly visits. It was also added that the restaurant recorded annual sales of 1 billion won (approx. 680,000 USD).
This is reported to be the very eel restaurant whose photo Cha Eun Woo posted on his Instagram two months before the broadcast of the show. However, he did not provide any specific details about the place at the time.
This photo was also uploaded to the eel restaurant's official social media account. A promotional caption was also posted stating that Cha Eun Woo had visited the restaurant, enjoyed the eel, and even posted about it himself. It also added that he was a frequent visitor.
Word spread, and the place became famous as the one Cha frequents, and online communities were soon filled with reviews. These posts included photos of Cha Eun Woo's handwritten message posted on one wall of the restaurant, in which he wrote, "Wishing you prosperity. The restaurant serves a very delicious eel!"
In addition, Cha Eun Woo had previously shared an anecdote in November 2022 at another program about receiving 4 kilograms of eel from his father when he went camping with people from his agency and fellow members. At the time, when asked why he sent eel, he replied that in his father's hometown, his family had long frequented a particular restaurant, and he had also gone there several times with staff and members as well — which was understood to be the same restaurant that had been introduced on the broadcast.
However, controversy is now growing after it was reported that the address of this eel restaurant had been registered for a company established by Cha Eun Woo's mother, Ms. Choi, and is suspected of being a "paper company." In October 2022, when the company was reportedly listed as a management business, its registered address was the same as that of this eel restaurant.
Netizens are voicing criticism, saying, "People would have gone even if he had just said it's his parents' restaurant," and "Is it acceptable to feature the place on a broadcast as if it were a restaurant he frequents without disclosing that it's a family-owned business?"
Cha has also reportedly been dropped from brand advertisements following the controversy.
Shinhan Bank had made all commercials starring Cha private on its YouTube channel and other social media platforms. Cha has been serving as a model for the bank since early 2025, after taking over from actor Kim Soo Hyun, who was removed from the role following controversy over his past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor.
Skincare label Abib, which appointed Cha as its global ambassador in August last year, likewise made his ads private across YouTube, Instagram, and X.
Health care company BodyFriend has reportedly been in talks to replace Cha with non-celebrity figures this year — a move said to be unrelated to the tax controversy, according to a Money S report.
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