[2026] Summary of Cha Eunwoo's current situation | What is he doing now after the tax evasion scandal? When will he be discharged from the military?

This article summarizes the latest news on ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun-woo (차은우). Based on official announcements and media reports, we'll cover everything from the tax evasion scandal reported in 2026, his military service in the military band, his expected discharge date, and his most recent appearance.

 

[2026] Summary of Cha Eunwoo's current situation | What is he doing now after the tax evasion scandal? When will he be discharged from the military?

table of contents

1. Let's start with the conclusion about Cha Eunwoo's current situation.
2. Tax evasion scandal and subsequent response
3. Military service in the military band | When did you enlist?
4. When will he be discharged? Latest service status.
5. Latest photos released while he was serving in the military.
6. Baptism in the military | Baptismal name: "Johann"
7. Cha Eunwoo's Profile

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is Cha Eunwoo's current situation?

A. ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun-woo (real name Lee Dong-min) enlisted in the military in July 2025 and is currently serving in the Army Band.

Q. When will you be discharged from the military?

A. His expected discharge date is January 2027.

Q. What happened with the tax evasion scandal?

A. In 2026, allegations of tax evasion were reported, but it was reported that Cha Eun-woo paid all the related taxes in April of that year and issued an apology.

 

1. Let's start with an update on Cha Eunwoo's current situation.

Cha Eun-woo is currently on hiatus from his activities due to mandatory military service and is serving in the Army Band. He enlisted in July 2025 and is scheduled to be discharged in January 2027.

 

Since the start of 2026, several updates have been reported, including his response to the tax evasion allegations that surfaced at the beginning of the year, his Catholic baptism while serving in the military, and his activities as a member of the military band. From here, we will organize each of these events in chronological order for clarity.

 

 

season	event
July 2025	Joined the Army Band
Early 2026	Allegations of tax evasion are reported.
April 2026	All related taxes have been paid and an apology has been issued.
June 2026	He was baptized into the Catholic Church while serving in the military.
July 2026	Recent photos released after appearing in the regular concert of the traditional Korean music ensemble.
January 2027	Scheduled to be discharged from military service

2. The tax evasion scandal and subsequent response

 

At the beginning of 2026, allegations of tax evasion surrounding Cha Eun-woo were reported. He was suspected of evading income tax through a personal planning company (corporation) established in the name of a family member. The Korean National Tax Service determined that the corporation was a shell company and reportedly conducted a tax investigation. As a result of the investigation, it was reported that he was notified of a large amount of back taxes.

 

In response, Cha Eun-woo issued an apology in April 2026, stating that he "respects the procedures and results of the National Tax Service and has paid all related taxes to prevent further confusion. He will also sincerely handle the remaining procedures." The amount paid was reported to be approximately 13 billion won (approximately 1.3 billion yen), and it has been reported that he paid the full amount. With this response, the controversy itself has come to a certain conclusion.

 

👉 Cha Eunwoo Instagram

This is Cha Eunwoo.   I sincerely apologize for the disappointment and confusion I have caused to my fans and many others recently due to tax issues concerning myself.   Amidst the ongoing administrative procedures, we had no choice but to be cautious about clarifying our position, and as a result, we sincerely apologize again for the delay in providing this explanation.   Although it's a bit late, I would like to take this opportunity to directly convey my thoughts and position once again.   I respect the procedures and decisions of the National Tax Agency and have paid all relevant taxes to prevent further confusion. I will also respond honestly to the remaining procedures.   Because I have been able to carry out my activities with the love and support of so many people, I am taking this matter all the more seriously and deeply. If there were any points that I did not check sufficiently, then I take full responsibility for them. No matter the reason, I have no intention of avoiding responsibility by saying "I didn't know" or "It was someone else's decision."   During a period when we were experiencing various changes and confusions while continuing our activities, we established a corporation as preparation for continuing our activities more stably in the future. However, looking back now, there were aspects that we did not adequately check during that process, and I believe that the responsibility for that lies not with my family or the company, but with myself.   Through this experience, I have come to deeply realize that I must re-examine myself. More than anything, I am most heartbroken and sorry for disappointing my fans and AROHA who believed in me.   To ensure that the same problems do not happen again, we will now review all our activities with even greater care and stricter standards than before.   I will work harder than ever to be Cha Eunwoo, who takes full responsibility for his choices and actions.   Once again, I offer my deepest apologies.   Thank you for reading this long text to the end.

English version   This is Cha Eun-woo.   I sincerely apologize for disappointing and confusing my fans and many others due to the recent controversy surrounding my tax payments.   As various administrative procedures were underway, I had no choice but to be cautious about making a statement. I would also like to apologize once again for taking so long to address the matter.   Although it is late, I would now like to share my thoughts and position in my own words.   I respect the procedures and findings of the National Tax Service, and I have paid all relevant taxes to prevent any further confusion. I will also cooperate fully and faithfully with the remaining procedures. Having carried out my activities with the love and support of so many people, I take this matter extremely seriously. If there were any aspects that I failed to examine thoroughly, the responsibility lies entirely with me. I will not avoid responsibility by claiming that I “did not know” or that “it was someone else's decision,” regardless of the circumstances.   I established a corporation as part of my efforts to continue my career more steadily during a period of significant change and uncertainty. Looking back, however, there were matters that I did not examine carefully enough during that process. I believe the responsibility for this lies with me, not with my family or my company.   This incident has made me realize how urgently I need to reflect on myself. Above all, I am deeply hurt and sorry that I have disappointed the fans who trusted me—especially all of you, AROHA.   To ensure that the same issue never happens again, I will review every aspect of my activities with greater care and under stricter standards.   I will continue to work tirelessly to become a Cha Eun-woo who takes full responsibility for his choices and actions until the very end.   Once again, I offer my deepest apologies.   Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy message.

 

 

3. Military service in the military band | When did you enlist?

 

Cha Eun-woo enlisted in the military in July 2025. He was assigned to the Army Band, a unit responsible for performing at ceremonies and concerts. According to his agency, Fantagio, Cha Eun-woo volunteered for the Army Band and was accepted after an interview.

 

 

Serving in the military band is a form of military service that is highly compatible with Cha Eun-woo's career, given his continued musical activities.

 

 

4. When will he be discharged? Latest service status

 

Cha Eunwoo's expected discharge date is January 2027 Yes. His service will last approximately one and a half years, starting in July 2025.

As of July 2026, Cha Eun-woo's rank is reported to be Private First Class. Recent photos, which will be discussed later, confirm that he is still a member of the military band and participates in activities such as concerts.

 

5. Latest photos released during his military service

 

In July 2026, a photo showing Cha Eun-woo's recent activities was released. Shin Soo-ah, a player of the haegeum, a traditional Korean stringed instrument, updated her social media on July 24th and posted a commemorative photo of herself standing next to Cha Eun-woo.

 

🔗 Check out Shin Soo-ah's Instagram

 

 

The two reportedly performed together at the "2026 Ministry of National Defense Traditional Music Battalion Regular Concert" held at the National Gugak Center's Riakdang on July 23rd. In the released photos, Cha Eun-woo was seen wearing a white modified hanbok, the kind used for performances and stage costumes, and sporting a short hairstyle that gave him a handsome appearance. His slightly fuller cheeks and toned physique, which appeared to be more muscular than before, also attracted attention.

 

In her post, Shin Soo-ah wrote, "It was an honor to be able to stand on the same stage as someone I've admired since my first year of high school," and added, "I sincerely thank Private First Class Lee Dong-min (Cha Eun-woo's real name) for taking a photo with me and even giving me an autograph," expressing her gratitude.

 

6. Baptism in the military | Baptismal name: "Johann"

 

On July 1, 2026, it was revealed that Cha Eun-woo had been baptized into the Catholic faith while serving in the military. His agency, Fantagio, confirmed that Cha Eun-woo had indeed been baptized in June of that year. His baptismal name was reported to be "Yohan."

 

Since Cha Eun-woo had never publicly spoken about his religion before, this recent update has attracted a lot of attention.

 

7. Cha Eunwoo's Profile

 

item	Content
name	Cha Eun-woo (Real name: Lee Dong-min)
date of birth	March 30, 1997
Affiliated group	ASTRO
Occupation	Singer/Actor
Talent agency	Fantagio
military service	Enlistment scheduled for July 2025 / Army Band / Scheduled discharge in January 2027

 

Cha Eun-woo has gained popularity as an actor, known for dramas such as "My ID is Gangnam Beauty," and has been active in both singing and acting. There is much interest in his return to activities after his military discharge.

 

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When did Cha Eunwoo enlist in the military?

A. I enlisted in July 2025 and am currently serving in the Army Band.

Q2. When will Cha Eunwoo be discharged from the military?

A. His scheduled discharge date is January 2027. As of July 2026, he is still serving in the military band.

Q3. What is the current status of the tax evasion scandal?

A. It has been reported that Cha Eun-woo paid all of the relevant taxes in April 2026 and issued an apology. The amount paid is said to be approximately 13 billion won (approximately 1.3 billion yen).

 

 

 

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