On January 23, forums and social networks lit up with a post titled “The Place People Say Is Cha Eunwoo’s Paper Company,” pointing to the registered address of Company A—the entity the National Tax Service has flagged in its investigation. According to users, the company’s listed address in Ganghwa‑do, Incheon matches that of an eel restaurant once operated by Cha Eunwoo’s parents. Established in October 2022, the company is reportedly registered under a standard industry classification for management services.
Amid this controversy, netizens dug up a September 2022 photo that Cha Eunwoo shared on his Instagram, taken in front of the same restaurant. Some posts even suggest the image was used in promotional content on the restaurant’s social media, with captions like “Ate delicious eel and even posted about it. Not a secret that he visits often,” implying a close connection.
At the time, many fans had taken the image lightly, commenting positively like “He went to visit his parents for Chuseok.” But now, as tax allegations intensify, that earlier photo has also been drawn into criticism. Commenters have reacted with disbelief, saying things like “It’s funny how they pretended it wasn’t family promotion” and “Using that for promotion and now claiming it’s a paper company?” Many find it ironic that a snapshot in front of a parent’s restaurant has become part of the broader narrative around a massive tax controversy.
The restaurant also appeared on the November 2022 episode of JTBC’s variety show MukjaGO, where it was presented as “Cha Eunwoo’s regular favorite restaurant with about ₩1 billion in annual sales.”
At the time, Cha Eunwoo himself appeared to suggest the restaurant was simply a beloved local spot, recounting in an interview how his father once sent eel for a camping trip and how he and his team had eaten there together, without ever explicitly acknowledging it was his family’s business.
Public reaction turned sharply critical after independent visitors shared reviews stating, “I asked the staff directly, and they confirmed this is Cha Eunwoo’s parents’ restaurant.” Netizens are now questioning why the familial link was never openly disclosed, with comments like, “Even if it’s his family’s place, he could have just said so — why hide it?” and “Is it okay to feature a family business on TV without telling viewers?”
On January 22, Edaily reported that Cha Eunwoo had been subject to a high‑intensity tax audit by the Seoul Regional Tax Office’s Investigation Division 4. The National Tax Service concluded that the company founded by his mother did not provide substantial services and may have been used to divert income away from higher personal tax rates—leading to an official notice demanding over ₩20 billion in back taxes.
Cha Eunwoo’s side responded to media inquiries, emphasizing that the main legal question is whether the company truly qualifies as a taxable entity. Cha Eunwoo’s side maintains that the firm is a legitimately registered entertainment planning company, not a mere paper company. Cha is currently awaiting the results of a pre‑tax assessment review.
Sources: Daum, Nate
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