January 26 marked a decisive turning point in Cha Eunwoo’s response to the tax controversy surrounding him, as a series of major moves unfolded with striking speed. On the same day it became known that he had retained one of South Korea’s top law firms, Cha Eunwoo also released a public apology and proceeded to change the registered address of a related company steps that together suggested a carefully coordinated response rather than coincidence.
First, reports revealed that Cha Eunwoo had hired Shin & Kim (Sejong), one of the country’s “Big Five” law firms, to prepare a legal challenge against the National Tax Service’s tax assessment. Sejong is widely recognized for its strengths in tax, finance, and litigation, particularly in handling disputes involving corporations and high-net-worth individuals. The firm further bolstered its tax expertise last September by appointing Lim Sung-bin, a former head of the Seoul Regional Tax Office, as a senior advisor. Notably, Lim previously led Investigation Bureau No. 4 the same unit involved in Cha Eunwoo’s tax case prompting public debate over potential preferential treatment.
Industry observers interpreted the choice of counsel as a sign that Cha Eunwoo’s team was preparing for more than routine explanations, instead anticipating complex legal proceedings that would require simultaneous tax interpretation and legal strategy.
On the very day his legal representation was disclosed, Cha Eunwoo also broke his silence after four days of public scrutiny. In a written statement, he said he had spent the past several days reflecting on how to express his remorse to those who felt hurt or disappointed. He acknowledged concerns that a lengthy explanation might sound like an excuse, yet stated that offering a direct apology felt like the responsible course of action. Despite this framing, the statement contained little detailed clarification of the allegations, drawing mixed reactions. Some critics took issue with portions of the message that emphasized his long career and the love he had received from fans, arguing that it came across as self-centered at a sensitive moment.
As attention focused on the apology, developments on the ground added another layer to the timeline. It later emerged that on the same date, local authorities in Ganghwa County conducted an on-site inspection of an eel restaurant that had served as the registered address of a limited liability company linked to Cha Eunwoo. The restaurant, operated by his mother from 2020 for about five years, had ceased business following renovation plans announced after tax evasion allegations surfaced and shortly after Cha Eunwoo’s military enlistment.
Records show that the company relocated its registered address from the Ganghwa site to Seoul’s Gangnam District on the very day the inspection took place. The near-simultaneous progression of events the law firm appointment, the public apology, the on-site investigation, and the address change has fueled speculation that these actions were part of a unified response strategy.
For many observers, the speed and precision of the moves raise questions about intent. Rather than simply clarifying the allegations, critics argue, the sequence appears aimed at limiting potential fallout as tax authorities intensify their scrutiny. With every key piece of the puzzle falling into place on January 26, public skepticism has only grown, leaving lingering doubts about whether such rapid developments can truly be dismissed as mere coincidence.
Sources: Nate