ASTRO Cha Eun-woo Hit with $13.7M Tax Assessment Amid Evasion Allegations

A staggering $13.7 million bill. That's the amount ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo must reportedly pay back to the tax man. The "Face Genius" is now facing intense scrutiny following a major audit by the National Tax Service.

ASTRO Cha Eun-woo Tax Evasion Charges 2026 Details

According to reports from Koreaboo, the National Tax Service notified Cha Eun-woo that he owes over ₩20.0 billion KRW (approx. $13.7 million USD) in additional taxes. The charges include unpaid income tax discovered during an extensive audit into his personal earnings and promotional activities.

The audit, which was reportedly conducted prior to the recent notification on January 23, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the fandom and the K-pop industry. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official statement from his agency to clarify whether this was a clerical error or a more serious case of financial mismanagement.

The Crackdown on High-Earning Idols

This massive tax bill isn't just an isolated incident. Experts suggest that South Korean tax authorities have been tightening their grip on high-profile celebrities and 97-liner stars who command significant global income. The complexity of international brand deals and multi-hyphenate careers often leads to these high-stakes financial audits.