Actor Jo Jin Woong is the latest celebrity to be hit with a huge tax penalty.

On March 22, reports confirmed that the Gangnam Tax Office in Seoul had conducted a tax audit on Jo Jin Woong and ordered him to pay an additional 1.1 billion KRW in taxes.

Like actors Yoo Yeon Seok and Lee Ha Nee, who were previously caught up in similar cases, Jo Jin Woong had set up a personal corporation and filed his earnings as corporate revenue instead of personal income.

The National Tax Service (NTS) flagged this as an issue and proceeded with an investigation.

Since corporate tax rates go up to 24% while personal income tax rates can reach 45%, the NTS viewed this method as a possible way to reduce tax payments.

Regarding this, Jo Jin Woong’s agency, Saram Entertainment, responded, “Jo Jin Woong respects the tax authorities’ decision and has already paid the full amount.”

The agency explained further, “This happened due to a difference in interpretation between tax officials and Jo Jin Woong’s tax representatives. The corporation had followed standard tax procedures, but the authorities decided that additional income tax should be imposed.”

However, Jo Jin Woong’s side is not letting this go without a fight. They revealed, “The tax office’s stance differs from previous tax practices, and this issue remains controversial among experts. To seek a legal judgment, we have officially filed an appeal with the Tax Tribunal, and it is currently under review.”

They also added, “As a responsible citizen, Jo Jin Woong has always done his best to fulfill his tax duties. He will continue to follow all legal procedures properly and take full responsibility.”

Meanwhile, Jo Jin Woong is not the only celebrity facing tax issues. Recently, actors like Yoo Yeon Seok, Lee Ha Nee, and Lee Joon Gi were also caught in similar tax disputes, sparking public debate over tax filing practices in the entertainment industry.

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NewJeans' Minji touched fans' hearts with a handwritten letter on her birthday — even while the group is currently unable to promote due to legal issues.

On May 7, Minji celebrated her birthday by sharing a heartfelt message on the group’s personal SNS account, which the members opened themselves to stay connected with fans.

Minji began her letter with honesty, writing, “I think I’m living a busier life than I expected. When I finally looked up, it was already May, and it was my birthday.”

She admitted that she had a lot she wanted to say, but her thoughts felt “messy.” Still, her message to fans was clear, “I just hope that I, our members, and Bunnies can all be happy. Happiness is the biggest goal in my life.”

Minji then opened up about her personal journey and struggles, saying, “I sometimes think that running toward my happiness by doing what I love might look foolish to others. But isn’t giving up your happiness now for the sake of a future that might not even come… too harsh on yourself?”

Despite everything, she ended on a hopeful note, “I really miss the times when we shared our feelings through the good music we made together. But I always look forward to what’s ahead."

She added, "We didn’t stop here, and we’re not going to stop! It might look like we’re standing still, but I believe we’re growing deeper.”

Her message comes during a difficult time for NewJeans. The group announced last year that they were cutting ties with ADOR, their original agency, after trust was broken. They later began working independently under the new name ‘NJZ’.

However, ADOR responded with legal action — claiming the exclusive contract with NewJeans was still valid and asking the court to stop the group from promoting or signing deals.

The court sided with ADOR and granted an injunction, forcing NewJeans to pause their activities. Their appeal was rejected, and they’ve now filed a second appeal.

Through it all, Minji’s message proves one thing — even when forced to stop, NewJeans' hearts are still moving forward.

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