aska

I asked AI

"Cha Eun-woo is being investigated for both potential tax avoidance and tax evasion, and the distinction between the two is central to his case."

https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/01/31/NTUAFH7SK5ETDNKONBF2RDV4FE/

Anyway, I hope he has a positive outcome and can clear this up.

So am i misunderstanding?

I heard another actor was accused of tax avoidance and they paid up and disputed the amount later. It also didnt blow up like this
did. Correct me if i am wrong but I was under the assumption that he cant admit to these charges as it would be tantamount to admitting to tax evasion, and it would have other implications for him. That is why its serious for him.

An simple interpretation issue on tax, is not a serious matter.
If its an interpretation, then why didnt he just pay up and dispute the facts later and then get a tax refund. It would have been so much better for his image. He would not be getting this much hate and it would be less stressful for him.

I agree 100 %. Its filmed beautifully.
Its one of the better bls. The story is so engaging. Its one of the few bls i can watch again.

Its interesting to analyse the facts and issues and try make sense of the situation.
Most of the anger and moral judgments I have is for the delulu fans who are convinced they know korean tax law (better than korean tax dept), have knowledge of the facts, and are able to twist reality to suit their favoured interpretation - he is innocent.

Im not a hater (except towards his delulu fans) or a fan (dont know him) but i can feel some empathy. It is kind of sad that Korean society can be so judgmental and harsh. And they are more harsh on these issues then say sexual assault.

100% agree. Im getting impatient. I enjoy experiencing the universe but they take forever to get to the point and find myself getting bored.

I just made a comment about how I enjoy the first few episodes of the dramas (bls and kdramas) that I watch, and I even like the actors but Im finding it harder to finish any show. I drop them after watching a few episodes. They don't capture my interest anymore.
I dont know if its because they are too predictable or if there is that something that is missing that makes me care enough to want to watch and to find out what happens next.

I agree with asianboss analysis that its becoming mediocre. I say the same with Thai bls that I'm watching. It feels likes its a production line, churning out a specific quantity dramas. Its no longer about creating something meaningful or artistic - its rare to find something original as its too risky for investors.

The drama and production is good and I like the actors. Despite that I dropped this series in episode 6.
I enjoyed watching the episodes but found that I stopped caring or being interested in what happens next. Its not a reflection of the quality of the drama - its more a "me" problem.
Im finding this happens in a lot of shows that i have been watching lately (bl and kdramas).
I enjoy immersing myself in their universe and experiencing their life situation, but get easily bored with the story and drop it or find myself not able to finish it. I dont know if maybe its because everything is so predictable for me.

I wonder if anyone else is experiencing this?
Maybe i have watched to many. Maybe Im getting too impatient.

I saw this about 15 yrs ago and cant remember much about the film. But I do remember enjoying it and loving the actress who played the main lead

lol most can't even speak korean but they know more about the finer points of tax and the legal issues surrounding this particular case than the NTS.
Its amazing what a masters degree in DELULU can do for you.

MDL scores are no indication of enjoyment you can get from watching a series.
A recent high scoring drama dedicated about 2 to 3 episodes on nursing a sick cat - and it bored me . I didnt watch a bl to find out about how a sick cat is doing or to watch two men nurse a cat.
Also if a series is considered to be toxic or messy than it also gets a low score.

that is not the debate here.
Its the fact that poor people are forced to pay taxes and share a heavier tax burden than the wealthy who have so many legal options to avoid tax. And its the unfairness when a wealthy person does not pay.

That may be the case but usually the tax authorities (in other countries at least) will allow you to come up with a payment plan.
Also he has had enough time to liquidate and sell off assets as this has been going on for over a year I bequiver, He could also get a bank loan and illiquid assets as collateral.
14mill is a lot of money to us, but he must have made over 35mill

Koreans are viciously attacking him. But I read a funny comment on Youtube by an angry Korean ( i dont speak language).
"100 % genius looks and 100% fools brain. God is fair."

If its Division 4 then he is almost 99% guilty of the accusations SO why would he not plead guilty? So either:
1. he is particularly stupid and wants this issue to drag on OR
2. The option of paying up means admitting to tax evasion, triggering ethics clauses in brand deals. And possibly criminal charges.

Im only speculating but I think the second assumption is likely. I dont think he has a strong case with the eel paper company - and if he did then it would have been smarter to as you said "pay up" and dispute facts later. Unless that was not an option because he would need to admit guilt to evasion (not just an accounting error) and its a criminal offense.

Happy to be corrected with facts as im deducing .

I am very critical of tax evasion by the rich, but i kind of also feel sorry for him.

The smart thing to do was accept the fine and pay up, instead of dragging it out like this.
BUT i dont think that was an available option for him.
I think the issue is more serious and he is fighting to prove that it is not tax evasion, which carries more severe legal penalties than just a fine - criminal conviction or jail

Its a nightmare for him because there are would also be penalty clauses in his brand deals - if there was any wrong doing on his part.

lol you really hate him ? Its not often that the accusers are imprisoned for false accusations.

In June 2016, while serving in the military, he was accused of sexual assault by several women. His agency denied all allegations, and the following month, all charges against him were dropped by the police, and his lawyers counter-sued for defamation and blackmail. He won the case in January 2017, and all the persons who wrongfully accused him were sentenced to prison.

In June 2016, while serving in the military, he was accused of sexual assault by several women. His agency denied all allegations, and the following month, all charges against him were dropped by the police, and his lawyers counter-sued for defamation and blackmail. He won the case in January 2017, and all the persons who wrongfully accused him were sentenced to prison.

In June 2016, while serving in the military, he was accused of sexual assault by several women. His agency denied all allegations, and the following month, all charges against him were dropped by the police, and his lawyers counter-sued for defamation and blackmail. He won the case in January 2017, and all the persons who wrongfully accused him were sentenced to prison.

Please dont compare what KSH did to CEW.

CEW does not deserve to be canceled for this.
And KSH has not been proven innocent. He is still very much in litigation

He is disputing the NTS assessment.
My understanding is that if he loses this dispute, it will mean that it was tax evasion and that is a criminal matter.
It is serious.

And no, i dont hate him or want him to be cancelled for this matter. He was just dumb enough to not hire professionals to do it properly and he got caught.
What annoys me is that its mainly the wealthy that can get away with tax evasion - i mean avoidance