Recently, former entertainment reporter Lee Jin Ho posted a video on his personal YouTube channel, expressing his views on the case surrounding the tax evasion suspicion of two actors from Fantagio - Cha Eun Woo (Astro) and Kim Seon Ho - which is the focus of public opinion.
Lee Jin Ho believes that the reaction of the management company Fantagio in the case of the two artists is too different. He said: "It's hard to believe that these statements come from the same management company, when the content and level of reaction are completely different.
The video title also emphasizes this contrast: "Fantagio broke up with Cha Eun Woo? Why is the company's statement completely different in the case of Kim Seon Ho?
Lee Jin Ho pointed out two main reasons why the controversy surrounding Kim Seon Ho was pushed further: "The fact that Kim Seon Ho is an artist belonging to Fantagio, along with the fact that he established a personal company, has expanded the issue into tax evasion suspicion.
The focus of the case lies in the personal company that Kim Seon Ho founded in January 2024. Lee Jin Ho said: "Through this company, salaries have been paid to his parents, and accusations have emerged that the company card is not only used for living expenses but also for other entertainment expenses.
Lee Jin Ho continued to analyze: "If these accusations are true, then the fact that income should be subject to personal income tax up to 49.5% but is handled according to corporate income tax of about 22% will naturally raise suspicions.
Faced with negative public opinion, Fantagio issued an official statement on February 4, explaining in detail Kim Seon Ho's personal company. Lee Jin Ho commented: "The noteworthy point is that they explain extremely thoroughly, from the time the company was established, the temporary suspension of operations to the issue of tax payment".
According to Fantagio, Kim Seon Ho founded this company to serve acting and stage production activities, but then temporarily stopped operating when he realized the possibility of causing misunderstanding.
The company said that the entire use of company cards, salaries paid to relatives and company vehicles have been refunded; in addition to the corporate income tax paid previously, Kim Seon Ho has also paid additional personal income tax. Currently, this personal company is carrying out official dissolution procedures.
Lee Jin Ho emphasized the decisive difference compared to the Cha Eun Woo case: "The statement related to Cha Eun Woo only stops at a general explanation that "the issue is being investigated by the tax authorities".
Meanwhile, Fantagio directly publicly revealed details in the case of Kim Seon Ho, creating the feeling that the company is emphasizing the nature of the two cases as different.
He added: "The fact that Fantagio stated that from February 2025, all payments to Kim Seon Ho will be paid directly to the individual artist, shows that the company clearly understands what points can become problematic".
Finally, Lee Jin Ho analyzed: "Cha Eun Woo is currently on military service and temporarily suspended from professional activities, while Kim Seon Ho has many big projects about to be released.
He believes that this is also one of the reasons why Fantagio company "reacted more proactively and strongly in the case of Kim Seon Ho".
