Last Updated:March 20, 2025, 11:41 IST

The agency made it clear that actor Lee Joon Gi has always been diligent in fulfilling his tax responsibilities.

Lee Joon Gi’s name has recently been linked to discussions about an additional tax assessment, leading his agency, Namoo Actors, to clarify the situation. On March 19, the agency released a statement to Newsen, confirming that the actor underwent a routine tax audit in 2023. They emphasised that he has already fulfilled his obligation by paying the additional tax amount of approximately 900 million KRW (around $620,000) as required by authorities.

“Lee Joon Gi underwent a regular tax audit by the Gangnam Tax Office in 2023 and was assessed additional taxes. Respecting the decision of the tax authorities, he has paid the full amount. This taxation resulted from differences in interpretation and application of tax laws between our tax representatives and the tax authorities, marking a decision that deviates from previous taxation practices,” read the agency’s statement.

The core of the issue lay in the nature of transactions between Namoo Actors and JG Entertainment, a private agency co-founded by Lee Joon Gi and his father. The key question raised during the audit was whether the income in question should be classified under the corporate tax for JG Entertainment or as personal income tax for the actor himself.

The agency explained further, “The key issue during the investigation was whether the tax invoice transactions between our company and JG Entertainment, founded by Lee Joon Gi, were legitimate and whether the income in question should be considered a corporate tax for JG Entertainment or personal income tax for Lee Joon Gi. Apart from differences in perspectives regarding corporate tax and income tax applications, no other tax evasion or irregularities involving Lee Joon Gi were pointed out.”

Despite full compliance with the tax authorities’ ruling, Namoo Actors pointed out that similar concerns were never raised in past audits. “Namoo Actors and Lee Joon Gi fully respect the results of this tax audit and the decision of the tax authorities. However, this matter had never been raised in previous regular tax audits in 2015 and 2019, and we understand that there is no established precedent from the tax authorities or the courts regarding income and asset management through personal corporations. Therefore, while proceeding with caution, we have filed an appeal with the Tax Tribunal to seek further judgment, and the review process is currently ongoing.”

The agency made it clear that Lee Joon Gi has always been diligent in fulfilling his tax responsibilities. “Lee Joon Gi has made every effort to fulfil his tax obligations in good faith under the guidance of his tax advisors. Both Namoo Actors and Lee Joon Gi will continue to uphold legal and procedural compliance as a responsible corporation and citizen of South Korea,” the statement further read.

The tax issue traces back to a practice where Namoo Actors deposited Lee Joon Gi’s earnings into JG Entertainment instead of paying him directly. JG Entertainment, in turn, reported the funds as corporate revenue and paid corporate taxes on them. The tax authorities, however, challenged this classification, leading to the reassessment.

While tax matters have momentarily taken the spotlight, Lee Joon Gi’s professional life continues to flourish. In 2023, he impressed audiences with his role in tvN’s drama Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramoon. Additionally, last year marked his long-awaited return to music, with the release of his digital single DELETE in celebration of his first Asia tour, Festival, in six years.