Actor Jo Jin-woong, whose past criminal record came to light and sparked controversy, directly announced he would halt activities and effectively retire.
On the 6th, Jo Jin-woong said through his agency, "I bow my head in apology for disappointing everyone who trusted and supported me due to my disgraceful past." He continued, "I humbly accept all the criticism, and as of today I will suspend all activities and put a period on my path as an actor."
He said, "I believe this is the rightful responsibility and duty I must bear for my past misdeeds." He also said, "Going forward, I will do my utmost to reflect so that I can stand upright as a human being," adding, "Once again, I sincerely apologize. I was grateful to everyone I love and respect."
Earlier, allegations surfaced that Jo Jin-woong committed offenses in his teens and received juvenile protective measures, and the agency partly acknowledged and apologized the previous day, saying there were wrongful actions when he was a minor.
On the 5th, a revelation claimed that Jo Jin-woong spent time in a juvenile facility for car theft and rape charges during high school. Additional allegations followed, including that after becoming an adult he was fined for assaulting a troupe member during his theater days, and that around the time he appeared in the film "Once Upon a Time in High School" he had his license revoked for drunk driving, further intensifying the fallout.
Saram Entertainment, his agency, said in a statement on the 5th, "After checking with the actor, we confirmed there were wrongful actions when he was a minor," but added, "We make it clear that he was not involved in acts related to rape."
The agency said, "The actor also takes very seriously and deeply reflects on the moments when, after becoming an adult, his poor judgment caused concern," and added, "We sincerely apologize to everyone who suffered harm and hurt due to the actor's past misdeeds."