Kim Seon Ho, who recently saw a surge in popularity thanks to the hit drama Can This Love Be Translated?, has been swept into controversy after allegations surfaced suggesting potential tax evasion—drawing immediate comparisons to fellow Fantagio artist Cha Eun Woo.
According to Korean media reports, Kim Seon Ho, like Cha Eun Woo, allegedly established a family-run corporate entity operating separately from his official management under Fantagio. Reports claim that Kim used the company’s bank account to pay his parents monthly salaries amounting to hundreds of millions of won, while the corporation’s registered address reportedly matches his residence in Yongsan, Seoul—fueling suspicions of a paper company set up for tax-related purposes.
The situation escalated as public scrutiny intensified, particularly given Fantagio’s recent tax issues involving Cha Eun Woo, who was previously hit with a massive 20 billion KRW tax reassessment, while Fantagio itself was reportedly ordered to pay an additional 8.2 billion KRW in penalties.
In response to the growing controversy, Fantagio acknowledged the existence of Kim Seon Ho’s family corporation. However, the agency firmly denied any tax evasion intent. Fantagio stated that the company was established in January 2024 for the purpose of managing Kim’s theater-related activities, prior to his exclusive contract with Fantagio in 2025.
The agency further clarified that the corporation had not been actively operating for over a year and emphasized that it was never intended as a tax-saving mechanism. “After recognizing the potential for misunderstanding or legal concerns, we have begun the process of dissolving the company,” Fantagio said in an official statement.
Despite the explanation, industry observers and netizens alike have questioned whether Fantagio was aware of—or even complicit in—such arrangements, especially given the similarities between Kim Seon Ho’s case and Cha Eun Woo’s alleged tax structure. As Fantagio is a publicly listed company, critics argue that any tolerance of income diversion through family corporations could pose serious concerns regarding corporate governance and tax transparency.
As of now, Kim Seon Ho has not personally issued a statement addressing the allegations. While no formal legal action has been confirmed, the controversy has sparked widespread debate across the Korean entertainment industry about celebrity income structures, agency responsibility, and the increasingly blurred line between legal tax planning and alleged evasion.
Whether this issue will escalate further remains to be seen, but for now, Fantagio’s assurance that the corporation is “in the process of deregistration” has become a key point in calming public concern—at least temporarily.
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Sources: Netizenbuzz
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