"APEC dinner chemistry?" G-Dragon hits 'like' on Cha Eun-woo's apology over 13 billion won tax bill

According to Financial News, singer G-Dragon has drawn attention after pressing 'like' on an apology posted by singer and actor Cha Eun-woo, who has been embroiled in allegations of tax evasion worth several tens of billions of won.
On the 8th, Cha Eun-woo posted an apology on his Instagram, writing, "I sincerely apologize for causing disappointment and confusion to many people, including my fans, due to the recent controversy over my tax payments."
He stated, "I respect the procedures and outcome of the National Tax Service (NTS), and I have paid all related taxes so that no further confusion will arise," adding, "If there were any areas I failed to examine carefully enough, the responsibility lies entirely with me."
He went on, "For any reason, I will not avoid responsibility by saying I 'didn't know' or that 'it was someone else's decision,'" and added, "What pains me most, and what I am most sorry for, is the fact that I have let you down."
Earlier, Lee Joo Young, a fourth-generation member of Daelim Group and an influencer, also hit 'like' on the same post, which drew attention. Now G-Dragon has pressed 'like' as well, further fueling public interest.
G-Dragon and Cha Eun-woo previously attended together a welcome dinner held in Gyeongju last October for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
G-Dragon, serving as an APEC honorary ambassador, performed at the cultural program during the APEC welcome dinner, appearing on stage wearing a traditional Korean gat. Cha Eun-woo, who was then serving in the military, hosted the welcome dinner as the master of ceremonies.
Cha Eun-woo enlisted for active duty in the Republic of Korea Army (ROK Army) in July last year and is currently serving in the military band battalion of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea's Service Support Group. At the time, the APEC Summit Preparation Committee officially asked the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea to allow Cha Eun-woo to appear as an emcee at the summit dinner, and the ministry reportedly approved the request after review.
In a behind-the-scenes video G-Dragon released on YouTube, a scene of the two greeting each other warmly and another of Cha Eun-woo saluting G-Dragon were captured, drawing buzz online. Earlier in 2024, a set of "life four-cuts" instant photo booth pictures of G-Dragon and Cha Eun-woo was also released, highlighting their close friendship.
Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo became embroiled in a tax evasion controversy after being notified by the National Tax Service (NTS) that he owed more than 20 billion won in additional income tax.
The NTS reportedly concluded that Fantagio, Cha Eun-woo's agency, had signed a management service contract with a corporation established by Cha Eun-woo's mother in an attempt to benefit from the lower corporate tax rate instead of the top 45% personal income tax rate, and therefore imposed additional taxes.
When the controversy first broke, Cha Eun-woo expressed his "deep regret" and said he would "faithfully comply with all upcoming tax-related procedures."
About two months later, on the 8th, Cha Eun-woo once again posted an apology on his Instagram.
According to Hankyung.com, Cha Eun-woo has now paid in full the taxes the NTS ordered him to pay, and the items assessed were confirmed to be personal income tax.
Although he initially faced allegations of tax evasion totaling around 20 billion won, it was recognized that some of the corporate tax and value-added tax he had already paid had been double-taxed and should be refunded. As a result, his actual payment is said to be around 13 billion won.


newssu@fnnews.com Kim Soo-yeon Reporter