Astro's Cha Eun-woo Faces Tax Scandal: What to Expect from His Upcoming Photo Exhibition in Tokyo

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong] Cha Eun-woo — the actor and member of K-pop group Astro who has been accused of tax evasion — will stage a photo exhibition in Japan.

Titled Afterimage, the behind-the-scenes exhibition runs from March 28 through May 12 in Tokyo’s Ginza district.

The show is being billed as Cha’s first official event since tax-evasion allegations came to light.

According to his agency, the exhibition was part of a project contracted in August 2024 and will proceed on the agreed schedule. Cha Eun-woo is currently serving in the military and will not attend.

In January, the National Tax Service informed him of additional tax assessments totaling more than 20 billion KRW (15 million USD), which prompted allegations of tax evasion. At the time, he had signed a management-services contract with a one-person agency established by his mother. Tax authorities say the arrangement appeared designed to apply the lower corporate tax rate instead of personal income tax, and they treated it as tax evasion.

While serving, Cha posted a lengthy statement on social media saying he has reflected deeply on his duty as a Korean citizen to fulfill tax obligations and that he regrets any shortcomings. He has since filed a pre-assessment review to contest the National Tax Service’s decision.

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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