According to Korean media reports, Cha Eun Woo was ordered to pay more than ₩200 billion KRW (approximately NT$500 million) in unpaid taxes, marking what is being described as the highest tax case involving a Korean entertainer to date. Although the actor is currently serving in the military, he issued an emergency apology addressing the situation. Despite this, the backlash has continued, with several endorsement brands distancing themselves and the South Korean military reportedly removing related promotional videos.
The controversy was widely covered by Taiwanese news outlets, including Sanli’s iNEWS. During a broadcast segment on the issue, anchor Yang Zhi-Yu drew unexpected attention when cameras caught her leaning her head toward a large backdrop image of Cha Eun Woo during a commercial break, creating a brief “same-frame” moment between the two.
The clip lasted only one to two seconds, but Yang was seen smiling shyly, appearing slightly embarrassed by her own spontaneous gesture. The moment quickly went viral after viewers uploaded the footage online, jokingly comparing the scene to a photo booth snapshot.
Within a day, the video amassed more than 60,000 likes and thousands of comments. Netizens humorously reacted with remarks such as “Is this using public equipment for personal reasons?”, “If it’s free, you’d be silly not to take the photo,” and “This is the closest her anchor career will get to being in the same frame as Cha Eun Woo.” Others added playful comments like “Tax evasion is not okay, but escaping into my arms is,” and “No one can keep a straight face when they see Cha Eun Woo.”
Yang Zhi-Yu later shared the clip herself on social media, writing, “I noticed Cha Eun Woo next to me when we went to commercial,” expressing her amusement at the now-viral moment.
Meanwhile, the legal implications for Cha Eun Woo remain severe. Under South Korean law, tax evasion exceeding ₩1 billion KRW can fall under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, carrying potential penalties of five years in prison or more, and in extreme cases, even life imprisonment. As investigations continue, the scandal poses a significant threat to the actor’s career and public image.
What began as a serious legal controversy has thus taken on an unexpected viral twist, showing how celebrity news can spark moments of levity even amid scandal—especially when broadcast live on television.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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