Cha Eun Woo has become Catholic while serving in the military.
According to News1 on July 1, Cha was baptized into the Catholic Church last month while serving in the military. His baptismal name is John the Apostle. The ASTRO member, currently a corporal in the Ministry of National Defense’s military band, received the sacrament during an on-base ceremony. His agency confirmed that the baptism took place in June.
The news drew attention as Cha had never publicly spoken about his religious beliefs before becoming Catholic during his time in the military.
Earlier in January, Cha was embroiled in tax evasion allegations after a company tied to a one-person agency run by his mother underwent a tax audit by the National Tax Service and was ordered to pay more than 20 billion won (approximately $12.9 million), in back taxes. As the tax audit overlapped with the timing of his enlistment, suspicions also arose that he had joined the military to avoid the controversy.
Cha later posted an apology on his Instagram, writing, “I sincerely apologize for disappointing so many people. Although I am currently serving in the military, my enlistment was not an intentional choice to avoid this controversy. I apologize to everyone who believed in and supported me.”
After being ordered to pay additional income tax, Cha paid the full 13 billion won in April. He also posted another apology, writing, “I sincerely apologize. I respect all procedures and processes of the National Tax Service and have paid all related taxes. I will not evade responsibility for any reason.”
Cha Eun Woo debuted as a member of ASTRO in 2016 and later expanded his career into acting, appearing in dramas including My ID is Gangnam Beauty, A Good Day to Be a Dog and The WONDERfools.
Cha enlisted last July and is scheduled to be discharged on Jan. 27th, 2027.
>> Cha Eun Woo Keeps Military Band Position Despite Complaint Filed Against Him
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