Arden Cho, left, and Cha Eun-woo / Captured from Cho’s social media
A supportive message posted by Korean American actress Arden Cho has sparked online backlash after she publicly encouraged singer-actor Cha Eun-woo, who is currently facing allegations of massive tax underpayment in South Korea.
Cho, who voiced the character Rumi in Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” left a comment on Cha’s social media account shortly after he posted a public apology on Jan. 26, addressing allegations that he failed to pay roughly 20 billion won (about $15 million) in income taxes.
“Always supporting you, dongsaeng. Hwaiting!” Cho wrote in English, using a Korean term that implies a close bond. The comment quickly drew attention, as it appeared amid heightened public scrutiny of Cha’s situation.
The apology marked Cha’s first public response since the allegations emerged. The Seoul Regional Tax Office previously conducted an intensive tax audit of the star and notified him of the additional tax assessment tied to unpaid income taxes, according to officials.
For international audiences, Cho is a familiar face from both Hollywood and Korean-linked projects. She gained global attention through “KPop Demon Hunters” and has previously shown public support for Cha, including a post in July last year ahead of his military enlistment, when she described him affectionately as her “younger brother” and said she was sending him love.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.