Actor Choi Jung-won, who is from the group UN, directly addressed controversies regarding his private life. He vehemently denied allegations of stalking and claims of an affair.
Choi Jung-won, in a phone call with OSEN on the 20th, expressed his desire to clarify his innocence through a trial, relating to the series of controversies surrounding allegations of stalking and claims of an affair.
On the 19th, SBS reported that Choi Jung-won was booked by the Seoul Central Police Station on charges of stalking. According to SBS, the police accused him of threatening a woman he knew with a weapon at her residence and booked him on suspicion of violating the law on punishment of stalking crimes. They also applied for emergency measures to prevent access and received court approval.
However, on the 20th, Choi Jung-won denied the allegations through his personal SNS, stating, "The content reported yesterday was a personal conflict between my girlfriend and me, which escalated into a trivial dispute." He further commented, "During the heated exchange, misunderstandings arose, and I am very regretful that the situation was conveyed inaccurately. "
Regarding this, Choi Jung-won also appealed his innocence in a call with OSEN, stating, "The incident reported yesterday has been greatly distorted. It is absolutely not true that I went armed with a knife or that I stalked someone."
He mentioned, "I am currently unable to contact my girlfriend," indicating a communication blackout due to emergency measures. However, he added, "I heard through other means that my girlfriend also denied the claims (related to the weapon). I need to hear her side as well, but I felt it necessary to clarify something that is obviously false from my perspective."
In addition, Choi Jung-won also refuted the allegations of an affair that emerged in 2022. He stated, "If you look at the submitted evidence, it is clearly false. The first trial related to this will take place in September, and I believe I will win. However, regardless of who wins, it will go to the second trial, so I expect it to conclude next year."
He emphasized, "The past three years have been really, really hard. I have endured well. I just hope it ends soon, and I am preparing well with my lawyer. Even if they call me 'the one with the affair', I hope they will wait until the trial is completely over to label me so. I have never actually had an affair, so I would appreciate it if those comments wouldn't be made as carelessly. There are many pieces of evidence that I have submitted to refute this."
In conclusion, Choi Jung-won lamented the past three years of suffering due to the private life allegations, saying, "Was there even a life for a person during this time?" He expressed, "Even if others don't look at me, I feel others. If only I could resolve this trial quickly, I could cleanly move on, but I am just waiting for the trial to end. I have endured with such a mindset. Even if I do not continue my life in the entertainment industry, I must have a clear conscience to live as a rightful citizen in a country, yet I spent three years in unjust times. I want to win the trial and shake off these nonsensical allegations of an affair."
Choi Jung-won debuted as an actor in the male duo group UN with actor Kim Jung-hoon, and after the group's disbandment, he transitioned to acting. In 2022, he became embroiled in allegations of an affair and became involved in a lawsuit for 100 million won in damages. However, Choi Jung-won emphasized that he has been a long-time acquaintance of the woman involved and has countersued her for defamation and threats, and is awaiting a verdict.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by the former agency.
[OSEN]