Cha Eun-woo Serves in Military Band After Paying $9 Million Tax Bill

South Korean idol Cha Eun-woo, a member of the boy group ASTRO, is currently completing his mandatory military service as a staff sergeant in the Military Traditional Music Band and is slated for discharge in January 2027. Earlier this year he settled a tax dispute with the National Tax Service, paying the full 13 billion won (about $9 million) after an initial assessment suggested a larger amount.

Recent backstage photos from a band concert showed Cha with a noticeably bulkier physique, prompting mixed reactions online. Some fans praised his appearance, while others criticized the change, linking it to the earlier tax controversy and suggesting it affected his visual appeal.

The incident highlights the scrutiny public figures face in South Korea regarding both their civic duties and personal image.