Actor Yoo Yeon Seok faces scrutiny after allegations of tax evasion surfaced, prompting calls for his removal from an upcoming K-Drama. Reports indicate the Korean National Tax Service penalized Yoo Yeon Seok’s agency for unpaid taxes, and this has led to negative reactions regarding his upcoming role.
Tax Evasion Allegations
Yoo Yeon Seok’s entertainment agency, Forever Entertainment, underwent an audit by the Korean National Tax Service. The audit resulted in an additional tax of ₩7.00 billion KRW (about $4.82 million USD) being levied against the agency. King Kong by STARSHIP, Yoo Yeon Seok’s management, stated that they have requested a reassessment and await official notification from the NTS.
K-Drama Role and Public Reaction
Yoo Yeon Seok’s scheduled appearance in the SBS K-Drama “Shin Yi Rang’s Law Firm” has drawn criticism. The actor was announced to star in the drama, which features a lawyer who sees spirits, back in September 2024. Following the tax evasion allegations, K-Drama fans have expressed their disapproval and urged SBS to reconsider his casting.
Netizen reactions include:
“What’s wrong with Korean actors? F*ck.”
“I mean… Ju Ji Hoon did drugs and then played a doctor, so. Haha.”
“A realistic portrayal, I’d say.”
“Man, Korean actors have it so easy.”
“LMAO.”
“Get him off the cast.”
“I won’t be watching, then.”
“Step down from the role.”
“If the lawyer he’s going to play also evades taxes, then fine.”
“We got a druggie playing a doctor and now a tax fraudster playing a lawyer.”
“Shin Yi Rang’s Law Firm” was initially planned for release in the second half of 2025. However, the drama was not included in SBS’s 2025 lineup, suggesting a possible delay to the first half of 2026.
