Netflix series ‘The Wonder Fools’, which drew major attention for bringing together ‘visual icon’ Cha Eun Woo and ‘acting powerhouse’ Park Eun Bin, has encountered unexpected controversy ahead of its scheduled release later this year.
The issue centers on Cha Eun Woo, who has recently been named in allegations involving approximately 20 billion KRW (around USD 15 million) in tax evasion. As the series was originally slated for release in the second quarter of this year, concerns surrounding the project are growing.
‘The Wonder Fools’ is a Netflix original series written by Heo Da Jung and directed by Yoo In Shik, produced by Romantic Crew and Kakao Entertainment, with Fantagio as a co-producer. Set in 1999, a time when apocalyptic beliefs were widespread, the story follows a group of well-meaning but somewhat clumsy neighbors who unexpectedly gain superpowers and band together to fight villains threatening the peace of Haeseong City. Against a late-1990s backdrop, the unpredictable adventures of these imperfect superheroes are expected to captivate global audiences.
The drama attracted strong anticipation thanks to its trusted creative team. Director Yoo In Shik previously helmed the hit series ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’, while writer Heo Da Jung worked on the screenplay adaptation of the blockbuster film ‘Extreme Job’.
Park Eun Bin takes on the role of Eun Chae Ni, a character who suddenly gains superpowers after being swept up in an unforeseen incident, while Cha Eun Woo plays Lee Woon Jung, a specially appointed public official in Haeseong City who begins investigating a series of mysterious disappearances. The cast also includes Choi Dae Hoon, Lim Sung Jae, Kim Hae Sook, and Son Hyun Joo, all set to add depth and color to the series with their distinctive performances.
On January 21, Park Eun Bin appeared at ‘Next on Netflix 2026 Korea’, an event introducing Netflix’s upcoming Korean content for the year. There, she shared that ‘The Wonder Fools’ marked her first project working with Cha Eun Woo. She added, “He’s currently fulfilling his mandatory military service, so I decided to work even harder to promote the series on his behalf. I hope he returns in glory,” expressing her support for her co-star.
However, just one day later, on January 22, news of Cha Eun Woo’s alleged tax evasion surfaced. As a result, Park Eun Bin’s hopeful message of support quickly became overshadowed by the controversy. Whether her plan to actively promote the series on her own can be realized within the year now remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Cha Eun Woo is currently serving in the military.
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