Kim Seon-ho faces paper company allegations amid Cha Eun-woo tax probe

Kim Seon-ho / Yonhap

Actor Kim Seon-ho has come under scrutiny over allegations that he operated a paper company, adding to heightened attention on his agency following a separate tax controversy involving fellow actor Cha Eun-woo worth more than 20 billion won (about $13.7 million).

On Saturday, Fantagio addressed claims that Kim operated a one-person corporation, saying he is currently working under an exclusive contract signed jointly with the agency and in his personal capacity, and that all legal and tax-related procedures related to his activities have been properly followed.

“There are no issues related to our contractual relationship or professional dealings with Kim,” the agency said. “The single-shareholder company was established to support theater production and other stage-related activities, not for the purpose of tax avoidance or evasion.”

The statement came after allegations emerged that Kim had registered a separate performance planning company at the address of his residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, and was serving as its chief executive officer.

Additional claims include Kim’s parents being listed as executives, family members using the firm’s corporate credit card for personal expenses, and the fact that the company was not properly registered as a popular culture and arts management business.

Fantagio’s response — that the company is already in the process of being shut down — is expected to prompt further scrutiny.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.