Cha Eun-woo has become embroiled in expanding tax evasion allegations after reports surfaced that the National Tax Service issued a tax reassessment notice worth approximately 20 billion won. As the controversy grows, attention has now turned to an eel restaurant previously operated by his mother, further fueling speculation and criticism online.
The issue arose after claims circulated that the eel restaurant “Yesteropen Charcoal-grilled Eel,” formerly operated in Ganghwa Island, Incheon, had relocated and reopened late last year in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, under the name “Yesteropen Cheongdam.” Online speculation suggested the move may have been linked to Cha Eun-woo’s alleged tax issues, intensifying public backlash.
However, it has been confirmed that “Yesteropen Cheongdam” has no connection to Cha Eun-woo’s mother or family. The restaurant is owned by Cha Eun-woo’s agency Fantagio and is operated by Fantagio M, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.
According to Fantagio, Cha Eun-woo’s family decided to close the Ganghwa Island eel restaurant last year. Subsequently, Fantagio continued using the existing brand name to operate the Cheongdam location under a new corporate structure, hiring some former staff members from the original restaurant. The agency emphasized that the Ganghwa and Cheongdam locations are entirely different in terms of corporate entity, ownership, and operational structure.
A Fantagio representative stated on February 3, “The currently operating ‘Yesteropen Cheongdam’ is a completely different corporation from the Ganghwa ‘Yesteropen Charcoal-grilled Eel.’ The restaurant is operated by Fantagio M and has no relation whatsoever to Cha Eun-woo’s family.”
Meanwhile, amid the tax evasion allegations, scrutiny has also turned to the substance of Company A, a corporation established by Cha Eun-woo’s mother. Company A was founded in October 2022 and initially registered its address in Deokseong-ri, Bureun-myeon, Ganghwa County, Incheon—the same address as the eel restaurant long operated by Cha Eun-woo’s parents.
Company A did not change its registered address to an office in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, until December 23 of last year. The National Tax Service is reportedly examining whether Company A had any connection to Cha Eun-woo’s income structure and whether it engaged in genuine business activities.
Sources: Naver
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