ARMYs Defends Jungkook After He Is Dragged Into ASTRO's Cha Eunwoo's Alleged Tax Evasion Scandal

On this day, K-pop fans were shaken by news that Cha Eunwoo of ASTRO is facing allegations of tax tension after South Korea's National Tax Service issued a notice demanding tax payments exceeding 20 billion won. The total amount is equivalent to nearly USD 13.7 million. According to reports, the figure includes additional income taxes and was determined following a comprehensive audit conducted prior to his military enlistment in July last year. Authorities described the case as one of the largest tax reassessment ever imposed on a public figure.

Fantagio, Eunwoo's agency, declined to confirm specific details regarding the address in question. The company emphasized that the unresolved issue centres on whether the entity involved legally qualifies as a taxable corporation. Officials confirmed that the case remains under review. Cha Eunwoo's side reportedly filed an appeal prior to the tax assessment, arguing that the company had been properly registered and was operating lawfully. Fantagio stated that the artist and his tax advisors will fully co-operate throughout the proceedings.

Although no final conclusion has been reached, online discussions quickly escalated. As the story spread, attention shifted beyond the core issue. Jungkook—widely known as a longtime close friend of Cha Eunwoo and a member of the so-called "97s line" friendship group—was suddenly dragged into the controversy despite having no direct involvement.

Numerous posts resurfaced old photos and moments of Cha Eunwoo with Jungkook and other 97s line members, such as SEVENTEEN's Mingyu, GOT7's Yugyeom, and NCT's Jaehyun. These posts mocked the tax dispute while emphasizing their connections, implying that all of them were somehow complicit in wrongdoing.

Notably, although those negative posts were one-sided and misleading, they still garnered millions of views. For example, a post exaggerating the past Itaewon Incident involving the 97s line accumulated 4.6 million views. Another post alleging that Jungkook had eaten at a restaurant owner by Cha Eunwoo's family—an establishment purportedly linked to tax evasion—received 1.7 million views. Yet another post Retweeted content from Pannchoa about Cha Eunwoo while adding negative commentary about Jungkook, also drawing tens of thousands of views. 

Beneath those posts were comments such as:

▣ "These men are something else. Chasing women, committing crimes, and even evading taxes—real multitaskers,"

▣ "Problematic 97 liners,"

▣ "How can someone become this unlikeable in just moment?"

▣ "Is Jungkook that thirsty? Or is he craving chicken wings?"

▣ "Jungkook doesn't want to make a comeback anymore, right? Why would he hang out with someone like Cha Eunwoo?"

▣ "They say birds of a feather flock together, and Jungkook is even richer than Cha Eunwoo. Do you really think he's innocent?"

▣ "I know for sure that the 97 line is full of problematic people, but fans keep praising them to the skies," and

▣ "I told you guys that the 97 line is the weirdest squad—every single one of its members."

Those posts were clearly intended to sway public opinion, attack, and distort the moral character and integrity of Jungkook and other 97 line celebrities associated with Cha Eunwoo. Witnessing Jungkook being targeted despite having no involvement, ARMYs could not remain silent. Fans quickly pointed out that the photos were taken years ago and had no relevance to the current tax issue. They also noted that past controversies involving the 97 line had already been resolved. As such, dragging Jungkook or other artists into Cha Eunwoo's personal matter was unreasonable. 

ARMYs also advised fans of fellow artists not to engage with such toxic posts, instead encouraging them to report the content on Twitter. Fans were urged to submit emails and reports regarding defamatory posts and individuals targeting Jungkook directly to HYBE protect website. . In addition, fans trended hashtags such as #WeLoveYouJungkook and shared supportive content for Jungkook across social media platforms to counter the spread of negativity. 

ARMYs expressed their anger and frustration over Jungkook being targeted in a controversy in which he has absolutely no involvement. 

ARMYs' Reactions:

● Imagine being so jobless that you create an account and pretend to be Korean just to drag Jungkook into something that doesn't concern him—something that ended years ago and for which he apologized multiple times even though he wasn't in the wrong. 

● Imagine being so obsessed with Jungkook that you drag him into a situation that has literally nothing to do with him. What you're trying to prove makes zero sense anyway, since BigHit already cleared it. You're miserable for lying and inventing things just because you hate him. 

● "Koreans' constant attempts to drag Jungkook into every situation."

● The concept of blaming Jungkook into a mess that isn't related to him at all. WTF—are you still sane? 

● People are reposting things completely out of context. Only one person is actually related to the main issue—so why drag others into it? God gave us brains to think, not to act like fried brains. 

● Going out of your way to act like this is honestly stereotypical toxic behavior and it's disgusting. Claiming someone did something they never did, dragging them into it for no reason, and then smugly acting like everything you say is absolutely right. 

● Dragging Jungkook into a scandal he has nothing to do with is irresponsible and malicious. Leave him out of it! 

● This has nothing to do with Jungkook. Weaponizing friendships to attack someone is disgusting behavior.