Actor Jo Jin-woong acknowledged allegations of being a juvenile offender and announced his retirement on the 6th. This came just a day after Dispatch reported that, while he was in high school, he was involved in serious crimes such as car theft and sexual assault and spent time in a juvenile detention center. Having appeared in ten-million-admission films such as <Myeongnyang> and <Assassins> and having publicly criticized former President Yoon Seok-yeol over illegal martial law, he has wielded significant influence both cinematically and socially, and the fallout has not subsided.

Through a statement released by his agency Saram Entertainment, he said, “I apologize for disappointing those who trusted and supported me due to past disgraceful incidents,” and added, “I will humbly accept all criticism and, as of today, suspend all activities. I will end my career as an actor.”

He continued, “I believe this is the rightful responsibility and duty I must bear for my past wrongdoing,” and said, “Going forward, as a human being, I will do my best to reflect so that I can stand upright.” He then said, “Once again, I sincerely apologize,” and “I was grateful to everyone I love and respect.” The previous day, Saram Entertainment stated, “Having checked with the actor, we confirm that there were wrongful acts during his minor years,” while making it clear, “However, we must state unequivocally that he was not involved in any acts related to sexual assault.”

On the 5th, Dispatch, citing informants, reported that while attending high school in Seoul, Jo had been implicated in car theft and sexual assault, faced criminal trial, and was sent to a juvenile reformatory. It also reported that during his unknown-actor days he assaulted a theater troupe member and was fined, and that while filming <Maljukgeori Janhoksa> he once had his license revoked for drunk driving. The outlet speculated that his working under the name ‘Jo Jin-woong’ rather than his birth name ‘Jo Won-jun’ might have been to erase his past.

Having joined the Dongnyeok theater company in 1996 to begin his acting career, Jo entered the film world in 2004 through <Maljukgeori Janhoksa>. He appeared in numerous films including <Biyeolhan Geori>, <Beomjoe-wa-ui Jeonjaeng: Nappeunnomdeul Jeonseong Sidae>, <Kkeutkkaji Ganda>, <Myeongnyang>, <Amsal>, <Daejang Kim Chang-su>, <Dokjeon>, <Black Money>, and <Gyeonggwan-ui Pi>. He also made his views known on social issues. In September 2021 he served as a national special envoy for the return of the remains of General Hong Beom-do, and during the illegal martial law declared last year by the former president he posted a video on SNS publicly criticizing, saying, “President Yoon destroyed democracy by ruthlessly declaring emergency martial law against the people.” At this year’s Liberation Day commemoration ceremony, he delivered the Pledge of Allegiance to the national flag as the representative reader.

With Jo acknowledging the criminal facts and announcing retirement, the works he participated in have taken a direct hit. The broadcast of the tvN drama <Second Signal>, in which he plays the lead, has become uncertain. <Second Signal> is a follow-up to <Signal>, which achieved a peak rating of 15% when it aired in 2016. Writer Kim Eun-hee as well as actors Kim Hye-soo and Lee Je-hoon from the previous installment all joined, raising expectations. Filming was completed in August and it was left to air next year, but its future has become unclear. The production company CJENM said regarding whether it will air, “Under discussion.”

SBS hastily replaced the narration for the documentary <War With Gangs> that Jo had handled. Planned as a four-part series, this documentary tells the stories of transnational criminal organizations that cross borders and the people who chase them to the end. Episode 1 aired on the 30th of last month, and starting from Part 2 airing on the 7th, the voice of Jo will be edited out. The Episode 1 VOD video is also currently set to private on the SBS official website. An SBS representative said, “We have newly recorded the narration for <War With Gangs>,” adding, “We are also working on revising Part 1 that has already aired.”

KBS set to private on its YouTube channel the documentary episode <National Special Envoy Jo Jin-woong, Bringing General Hong Beom-do>. Released in August 2021, the documentary shows Jo, who served as the national special envoy for the return of remains, flying to Kazakhstan and taking part in the repatriation process.