Why Yuri from Girls' Generation is Celebrated as a Model Taxpayer in 2026

Seol Lae-on | 2026.03.10

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[iNews24 reporter Seol Lae-on] Amid a wave of tax-evasion allegations in the entertainment industry, Kwon Yuri — better known as Yuri of Girls’ Generation — has been named a distinguished taxpayer in recognition of her consistent tax compliance.

  Actress Kwon Yuri attends a stage greeting for the film Invasion at the 29th Busan International Film Festival on Oct. 5, 2024, at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, Busan. [Photo by Jung So-hee]
  Actress Kwon Yuri attends a stage greeting for the film Invasion at the 29th Busan International Film Festival on Oct. 5, 2024, at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, Busan. [Photo by Jung So-hee]

On March 10, the Gangnam District Office in Seoul said it had held the \"2026 Distinguished Taxpayer Commendation Ceremony\" at district hall the previous day, honoring 10 recipients — five individuals and five corporations — for contributing to local development through diligent tax payments. Singer and actress Yuri was among those recognized.

Gangnam District selects and honors distinguished taxpayers each year to promote a culture of responsible taxpaying. To qualify, individuals, organizations or corporations must be registered in Gangnam, have no tax delinquencies over the past 10 years, and have filed and paid local taxes at least twice a year for eight consecutive years.

In addition, last year’s tax payments must have totaled at least 10 million KRW (≈ $7,500) for individuals and organizations, and at least 50 million KRW (≈ $37,500) for corporations. The district also weighs nominees’ contributions to local governance and community development.

Meanwhile, tax controversies continue to reverberate across the entertainment sector. On March 8, MBC’s investigative program Straight examined how entertainers operate one-person agencies.

  Actress Lee Ha-nui attends the press screening for the film Upstairs Neighbors (directed by Ha Jung-woo) on Nov. 25, 2024, at Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. [Photo by Jung So-hee]
  Actress Lee Ha-nui attends the press screening for the film Upstairs Neighbors (directed by Ha Jung-woo) on Nov. 25, 2024, at Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. [Photo by Jung So-hee]
  Cha Eun-woo of the group ASTRO attends a breast cancer awareness charity event hosted by W Korea on Oct. 14, 2024, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno District, Seoul. [Photo by Jung So-hee]
  Cha Eun-woo of the group ASTRO attends a breast cancer awareness charity event hosted by W Korea on Oct. 14, 2024, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno District, Seoul. [Photo by Jung So-hee]

The program reported that a gomtang (beef soup) restaurant in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, had been registered as a branch of Hof Project, the solo agency established by actress Lee Ha-nui. Earlier, Lee faced tax reassessments of about 6 billion KRW (≈ $4.5 million) over alleged tax evasion through a one-person agency in 2024.

Actor Cha Eun-woo also drew scrutiny after the address of a company his mother founded was registered as an eel restaurant in Ganghwa County, Incheon. The Seoul Regional Tax Office’s Fourth Investigation Division launched an intensive probe, and the National Tax Service later notified him of tax reassessments totaling roughly 20 billion KRW (≈ $15 million), fueling further allegations of tax evasion.