On January 26, Cha Eunwoo posted a lengthy statement on social media addressing the controversy and offering a formal apology. “I am reflecting on my duties as a taxpayer,” he wrote. “I will sincerely cooperate with the ongoing tax procedures.”
Shortly after the apology was released, Arden Cho left a supportive comment on Cha Eunwoo’s post, writing, “Always supporting you, dongsaeng, hwaiting!” While some international fans responded positively, domestic reaction in Korea was notably different.
Many Korean netizens expressed disappointment, arguing that the timing of Arden Cho’s message was highly inappropriate. “This is not the moment to be cheering him on,” wrote one user. Others criticized her for being “tone-deaf to Korean social sentiment” and urged her to “read the room.”
The backlash stems in part from the scale of the tax evasion allegations. Cha Eunwoo reportedly received a notice of reassessment for more than ₩20 billion from the Seoul Regional Tax Office. The amount is one of the largest ever imposed on an entertainer.
Adding to the controversy, the investigation began before Cha’s military enlistment but was only finalized afterward, leading some to raise suspicions of an “escape-like enlistment.” Public skepticism intensified after it was revealed that Cha Eunwoo hired one of Korea’s top law firms, Shin & Kim, to represent him—prompting accusations that he might be seeking preferential treatment through former high-ranking tax officials now working at the firm.
Against this backdrop, Arden Cho’s public comment—though seemingly a gesture of personal support—has been viewed as insensitive and misaligned with the gravity of the situation. Some critics noted that even if the two had built a friendship during their collaboration on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, more discretion was expected given the ongoing public scrutiny and cultural context.
Sources: Daum
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