Korean Reading Practice

차은우, 엄마 회사 통해 200억 탈세 의혹…그 법인, 전 주소지는 ‘장어집’

📅 January 23, 2026

1Introduction

This reading explores a recent controversy involving a popular Korean celebrity and tax evasion allegations. The story highlights how family businesses and address registrations can become subjects of public scrutiny when celebrities are involved in tax investigations.

2Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
탈세 talse tax evasion 그는 탈세 혐의로 조사를 받았다.He was investigated on charges of tax evasion.
법인 beobin corporation, legal entity 새로운 법인을 설립했습니다.We established a new corporation.
추징 chu징 additional collection (of taxes) 국세청이 세금 추징을 통보했다.The tax office notified additional tax collection.
혐의 hyeomui suspicion, charge 그는 사기 혐의를 받고 있다.He is under suspicion of fraud.
매니지먼트 maenijimeon-teu management 연예인 매니지먼트 회사에서 일한다.I work at an entertainment management company.
설립하다 seolliphada to establish, found 작년에 회사를 설립했어요.I established a company last year.
주소지 jusoji address, location 회사의 주소지를 변경했습니다.We changed the company’s address.
논란 nollan controversy, dispute 이 문제로 큰 논란이 일었다.This issue caused a big controversy.
편법 pyeonbeop expedient method, loophole 편법을 사용해서 세금을 줄였다.They reduced taxes using loopholes.
용역 yongyeok service contract 두 회사가 용역 계약을 맺었다.The two companies signed a service contract.
부적절하다 bujeokjeolhada inappropriate, unsuitable 그런 행동은 부적절하다고 생각한다.I think such behavior is inappropriate.
드러나다 deureonada to be revealed, exposed 진실이 드러났습니다.The truth was revealed.

3Reading Text

최근 한 유명 연예인의 가족 회사와 관련된 세금 문제가 큰 관심을 받고 있다.

Recently, tax issues related to a famous celebrity’s family company have attracted significant attention.

이 연예인의 어머니가 설립한 회사의 등록 주소가 강화도의 한 장어 전문 식당으로 밝혀졌다.

It was revealed that the registered address of the company established by this celebrity’s mother was an eel restaurant on Ganghwa Island.

이 회사는 연예 매니지먼트 업무를 담당하는 것으로 등록되어 있지만, 실제로는 식당 주소를 사용하고 있어 의문이 제기되었다.

Although this company was registered to handle entertainment management business, questions were raised because it was actually using a restaurant address.

국세청은 이 연예인이 200억 원이 넘는 세금을 추가로 내야 한다고 통보했다고 전해진다.

It is reported that the National Tax Service notified this celebrity that they must pay over 20 billion won in additional taxes.

조사에 따르면, 이 연예인은 기존 소속사가 있음에도 불구하고 가족 회사를 따로 만들었다.

According to the investigation, this celebrity created a separate family company despite already having an existing agency.

그리고 이 가족 회사와 기존 소속사 사이에 서비스 계약을 맺어 세금을 줄이려 했다는 의혹을 받고 있다.

They are suspected of trying to reduce taxes by signing a service contract between this family company and the existing agency.

하지만 국세청은 강화도에 위치한 회사가 실제로 연예 매니지먼트 업무를 수행하기에는 적절하지 않다고 판단했다.

However, the National Tax Service determined that a company located on Ganghwa Island was not suitable for actually performing entertainment management duties.

현재 이 회사는 서울 강남구로 주소를 옮긴 상태이지만, 여전히 세금 문제에 대한 논란은 계속되고 있다.

Currently, this company has moved its address to Gangnam-gu, Seoul, but controversy over tax issues continues.

4Comprehension Questions

Q1
What type of business was the celebrity’s mother’s company registered as?
Q2
Where was the original address of the family company located?
Q3
How much additional tax did the National Tax Service reportedly demand?
Q4
Why did the National Tax Service find the company’s original location problematic?
Q5
What arrangement between the family company and the existing agency is suspected of being used to reduce taxes?

5Cultural Notes

In Korea, celebrity tax cases often receive intense media attention and public scrutiny, reflecting the high expectations placed on public figures to follow proper procedures. The use of family companies by celebrities for tax purposes has become a common practice in the Korean entertainment industry, though it sometimes leads to investigations when the arrangements appear questionable. Ganghwa Island, mentioned in this story, is known for its traditional restaurants and rural setting, making it an unlikely location for an entertainment management company’s headquarters.

Source: Naver News |
Original Article

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