[TV Report = Reporter Choi Min-jun] The tax evasion suspicions surrounding actors Kim Seon-ho and Cha Eun-woo are heading towards a completely different ending at the same agency. The choices of the two actors were so starkly different that it would not be excessive to say, ‘There is one suspicion, but the response is the opposite.’ In the industry, this is even being evaluated as a turning point in the ‘Fantagio Tax Evasion Gate’. On the 4th, Kim Seon-ho's agency, Fantagio, announced in an official statement that it had virtually completed the tax settlement related to the one-person corporation owned by Kim Seon-ho. According to Fantagio, Kim Seon-ho has completed paying additional personal income tax in addition to the corporate tax already paid for the amount previously settled through the corporation. Currently, the corporation has entered the administrative final stage of the closure process. Fantagio explained, “We recognized that Kim Seon-ho did not have a sufficient understanding of corporate operations, and we preemptively corrected all settlements to eliminate any potential for misunderstanding,” and added, “We completely cleared up controversial areas such as corporate card usage details, family salaries, and corporate vehicles.” He added, “The actor himself is also deeply reflecting and bowed his head in apology.” Kim Seon-ho's corporation was established in January 2024 for the purpose of theater production and acting activities, and was operated temporarily until signing an exclusive contract with Fantagio in February 2025. However, the controversy spread as suspicions of a ‘paper company’ were raised as the address was registered as a home and family members were listed as executives. There was also criticism that this was tax avoidance using the difference between the highest personal income tax rate of 49.5% and the corporate tax rate. Rather than denying this, Kim Seon-ho's side acknowledged responsibility, saying, “It was a judgment based on ignorance,” and quickly began to resolve the matter. Cha Eun-woo, who is in the same agency, is moving in a completely different direction. Cha Eun-woo was notified of 20 billion won in tax collection from the National Tax Service due to suspicions that he processed his income through a private corporation operated by his mother. This is known to be an unprecedented scale among cases imposed on celebrities. Following Cha Eun-woo's request for a taxation review, he appointed Shin & Sejong Law Firm, one of the five largest law firms in Korea, and announced full-scale legal action. During this process, it became known that the company had chosen a law firm specializing in taxation and litigation, and that a high-ranking member of the National Tax Service was affiliated with the company, sparking controversy over the ‘special treatment of all officials’. In an apology issued while serving in the military, Cha Eun-woo said, “It was not intentional tax evasion and it was a misunderstanding caused by inadequacy,” but at the same time, he is maintaining his stance that he will pursue the appeal process. Regarding this, there are many critical views inside and outside the industry, saying, “The attitude of combining an apology and legal action is actually increasing suspicion.” Tax experts who are former National Tax Service investigators also seem to be comparing the two conflicting responses and giving their weight to Kim Seon-ho's side. One expert pointed out, “Acknowledging a problem when it arises and settling taxes is the way to reduce image risk in the long term,” and added, “If it goes into a legal battle, even if we win part of the case, it will be difficult to restore public trust.” In fact, Kim Seon-ho is taking steps to make a quick comeback despite the controversy. He is scheduled to appear on stage in the play ‘Secret Passage’, which opens on the 13th, and all tickets for the episode in which he appears are already sold out. Theater industry officials said, “Looking at the audience reaction, the temperature of public opinion is cooling faster than expected.” Cha Eun-woo's situation is not easy. In addition to the variable of being in military service, if the suspicion of tax evasion worth 20 billion won continues for a long time, it is expected to put a significant burden on the release and promotion schedule of the next work. In particular, as the Netflix drama 'Wonderfuls', in which he co-stars with actress 'Park Eun-bin', is about to be released, there are voices expressing concern that if this controversy continues, it will 'have a negative impact' on the work. At the starting line of the same agency and the same suspicion of tax evasion, Kim Seon-ho chose ‘recognition and settlement’, while Cha Eun-woo chose ‘legal battle’. The entertainment industry is now paying attention to what consequences this difference in choice will have on the future careers of the two actors. Reporter Choi Min-jun cmj@tvreport.co.kr /