Fans of Cha Eun Woo, a member of the popular K-pop group ASTRO, organized a truck protest outside his agency Fantagio on April 21, 2025. The protest was sparked by malicious rumors accusing the idol of exploiting his late bandmate Moonbin for profit. Fans displayed messages on LED-lit trucks, demanding stronger legal action and protection for Cha Eun Woo from ongoing online harassment .
The controversy began after the release of ASTRO’s tribute song “Memory of the Moon” on April 19, honoring Moonbin, who passed away in 2023. Cha Eun Woo personally reached out to 22 artists to participate in the project and gifted them luxury bracelets as a token of appreciation. However, some netizens accused him and Fantagio of using Moonbin’s memory for financial gain, leading to widespread backlash .
Messages on the protest trucks included:
“Cha Eun Woo has sacrificed the most for the team, but he’s the one getting attacked the most. And yet Fantagio is doing nothing, just standing by and watching. Is all of this happening with Fantagio’s approval?”
“Fantagio, get it together. Stop focusing only on making money and protect Cha Eun Woo properly. The fans are watching, you better do your job right!”
Fans emphasized that Cha Eun Woo has faced repeated false accusations, including a baseless rumor last month claiming he skipped the funeral of late actress Kim Sae Ron. This was later debunked, but the lack of agency response fueled frustration among supporters .
Cha Eun Woo’s fans argue that Fantagio has consistently failed to defend him from defamation. Despite his nine-year career, the agency has rarely taken legal action against malicious commenters, allowing rumors to escalate unchecked . The protest highlights growing fan discontent with how K-pop agencies handle cyberbullying and false allegations.
The tribute song itself was a heartfelt project initiated by Cha Eun Woo to commemorate Moonbin’s legacy. The accusations of exploitation have deeply upset ASTRO’s fandom, AROHA, who see the claims as disrespectful to both Moonbin and Cha Eun Woo’s sincere efforts .
Also Read: Veteran Singer Insooni Issues Apology After Sharing Private Wedding Photo of Kim Jong Min
As of now, Fantagio has not publicly responded to the protest or the demands for legal action. Fans worldwide are closely watching whether the agency will finally step up to protect one of its most prominent artists .
