Cha Eun-woo, who is currently serving in the military, has returned to the spotlight after being spotted in public for the first time since paying approximately 13 billion won in taxes. Meanwhile, the production press conference for ‘Wonderfulls’ took place, where it was mentioned that the project’s quality was prioritized without any edits to Cha Eun-woo’s scenes. The series is set to be released in about 190 countries on the 15th.
Recently, photos of Cha Eun-woo performing at a military band event have been spreading rapidly across online communities and social media. In the photos, Cha Eun-woo is seen wearing a tuxedo and saluting with a microphone in hand. Even in a suit rather than a military uniform, his poised posture and calm aura captured attention, with fans reacting that “the military band visuals are legendary” and “he’s still born for the stage.”
This update is drawing particular attention because it is his first public appearance since the recent large-scale tax controversy. Previously, Cha Eun-woo underwent a tax audit by the 4th Investigation Bureau of the Seoul Regional Tax Office regarding transaction structures with a corporation under his family’s name. Controversy erupted when it was revealed he was notified of a tax collection amounting to approximately 20 billion won. After a pre-tax review and adjustment process, the final payment amount was settled at around 13 billion won.
Cha Eun-woo’s representatives explained, “All personal income taxes have been fully paid,” adding that “refund procedures are expected to proceed for some parts due to double taxation adjustments.” They further clarified that “since the notice itself is not issued before the final tax amount is determined, pre-payment was structurally impossible,” addressing criticisms that he “delayed payment.”
There was also a controversy regarding his military service. Some filed complaints through the e-People portal questioning whether it was appropriate for him to maintain his position in the military band following the tax issue. However, the Ministry of National Defense officially confirmed that “under regulations, this does not constitute a reason for a change in position.” The Ministry stated that it does not fall under the reasons for reassignment such as accidents, illness, disciplinary action, or unit reorganization, and confirmed that Cha Eun-woo continues his service in the military band.
After maintaining a relatively low profile following the controversy, Cha Eun-woo is now awaiting the release of his next project alongside his military service. The Netflix series ‘Wonderfulls’ is confirmed for release in about 190 countries worldwide on the 15th.
However, the production team found themselves in a difficult position due to the tax evasion controversy surfacing just before the release. Director Yoo In-sik, who attended the press conference, spoke cautiously, saying, “I learned about the news through articles after the editing and post-production were already completed.” He explained, “This work is the result of the efforts of numerous staff members and actors for every single second,” and “we prioritized the overall quality during editing and post-production.” This essentially confirms that Cha Eun-woo’s screen time was not adjusted due to the controversy.
Ultimately, public opinion regarding Cha Eun-woo remains divided. While some criticize the massive amount of the tax collection, others react by saying, “He completed the payment according to procedure and is continuing his service normally,” and “the work and the actor’s personal issues should be viewed separately.”
Meanwhile, ‘Wonderfulls’ is a comic adventure set at the end of the century in 1999, telling the story of neighborhood residents who gain superpowers. Cha Eun-woo plays the role of ‘Lee Un-jeong’, a mysterious civil servant who uses psychokinesis.
