The upcoming Netflix series The WONDERfools is moving forward with its release schedule, but its lead star Cha Eun-woo will not be present for the show’s first official event. The streaming platform has confirmed the series will hold a production presentation on May 12 in Seoul, with the global premiere following shortly after on May 15.
The actor, who also goes by his real name Lee Dong-min, is currently serving in the military and facing a serious tax controversy that has made headlines across South Korea. His absence from the promotional event marks an unusual start for one of the most anticipated K-drama releases of the year.
Why Cha Eun-woo Will Not Attend The WONDERfools Production Presentation
The production presentation on May 12 will bring together director Yoo In-sik and the main cast members, including Park Eun-bin, Kim Hae-sook, Choi Dae-hoon, Lim Seong-jae, and Son Hyun-joo. However, Cha Eun-woo will not be on stage with his fellow actors.
Two main reasons explain his absence. First, the actor enlisted in the military in July of last year and is currently serving in the military band. He is scheduled to be discharged in January of next year. Second, and perhaps more significantly, Cha is at the center of a major tax evasion investigation that has dominated Korean entertainment news.
According to multiple Korean media outlets, the Seoul Regional National Tax Service investigated Cha before his enlistment and notified him of a tax surcharge exceeding 20 billion Korean won (approximately $13.4 million USD). This amount represents the largest tax reassessment ever imposed on a celebrity in South Korea.
The investigation initially targeted his agency Fantagio, which received an 8.2 billion won surcharge. During the probe, authorities identified a corporation tied to an eel restaurant operated by Cha’s mother. Both Cha and this corporation faced the 20 billion won reassessment.
Cha’s legal team has filed a pre-assessment administrative review contesting the tax office’s decision. Reports indicate he has retained a major law firm to handle the case.
Netflix Confirms The WONDERfools Release Date Remains on Schedule
Despite speculation that the controversy might delay or even cancel the series, Netflix has confirmed The WONDERfools will premiere globally on May 15 across more than 190 countries.
A Netflix representative told Maeil Business Newspaper, “As announced at the Next on Netflix event, there has been no change to the plan to release it in the second quarter.” The production presentation on May 12 will officially introduce the work to the media and public before the streaming release.
This decision comes amid ongoing criticism about how streaming platforms handle content involving celebrities facing public controversy. Traditional Korean broadcasters often remove problematic actors from drama lineups or postpone film releases to reflect public sentiment. However, subscription-based OTT platforms have faced questions about their standards in such situations.
What The WONDERfools Is About
Set in 1999, a year when doomsday theories were widespread, The WONDERfools follows a group of ordinary citizens who unexpectedly gain superpowers. These awkward underdogs must band together to fight villains threatening the peace of Haeseong City.
The series brings together an impressive creative team. Director Yoo In-sik previously directed the massive hit Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which also starred Park Eun-bin. Writer Han Da-jung (also credited as Huh Dah-joong) adapted the film Extreme Job, one of Korea’s highest-grossing comedies.
Park Eun-bin plays Eun Chae-ni, a woman who gets caught up in an unexpected incident and suddenly acquires superpowers. Cha Eun-woo portrays Lee Woon-jung, a specially appointed public official in Haeseong City who investigates a series of mysterious disappearance cases.
The supporting cast includes veteran actors Kim Hae-sook (Gyeongseong Creature), Choi Dae-hoon (When Life Gives You Tangerines), Im Seong-jae (Hellbound Season 2), and Son Hyun-joo (The Good Detective).
Production for the series began in 2024 and wrapped in June 2025. Netflix originally announced the show as part of its 2026 slate during its Next on Netflix event in January.
Cha Eun-woo’s Response to Tax Allegations
In late January, Cha Eun-woo released a statement through his social media addressing the situation. He said he is reflecting on whether he maintained a sufficiently strict approach to his tax obligations as a citizen. He added that he will humbly accept the final decision and take full responsibility for the outcome.
His agency Fantagio has maintained that differences in legal interpretation exist between their position and the tax authorities. The company stated they would explain their position according to legal procedures and that both the artist and tax representatives would cooperate seriously with the process.
The advertising industry has already reacted to the controversy. LG Uplus terminated its modeling contract with Cha and indicated no plans to renew. Other brands including Shinhan Bank and Abib have moved videos and content featuring the actor to private or deleted modes.
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What Viewers Can Expect from The WONDERfools
Despite the lead actor’s absence from promotions, the series itself remains a major release for Netflix’s second-quarter lineup. The show blends comedy with action-adventure elements, focusing on characters who are not typical heroes but rather clumsy townspeople thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
The 1999 setting taps into the Y2K fears that dominated that era, adding a nostalgic element for viewers who remember the turn of the millennium. The series will consist of eight episodes, a standard length for Korean drama productions on streaming platforms.
For international audiences, The WONDERfools will be available with subtitles in multiple languages when it debuts on May 15. Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and worldwide can stream the series through Netflix starting that afternoon Korean time.
The production presentation on May 12 will likely reveal additional details about the show, including character posters, trailers, and insights from the attending cast members about their roles. Director Yoo In-sik, who worked with Park Eun-bin on Extraordinary Attorney Woo, may share what drew him to this project and how it differs from their previous collaboration.
With Cha Eun-woo unable to participate in promotions, much of the attention will fall on Park Eun-bin to lead the publicity efforts. Her previous role in Extraordinary Attorney Woo earned her international recognition and critical acclaim, making her return to television highly anticipated by fans worldwide.
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