Actor Jo Jin-woong acknowledged his past wrongdoing and apologized.
On the 5th, Jo Jin-woong's agency, Saram Entertainment, issued a press release and announced an official position regarding earlier allegations that Jo Jin-woong had been in a juvenile detention center.
That day Dispatch reported that Jo Jin-woong committed a serious crime while in high school and was sent to a juvenile detention center after receiving juvenile protective disposition. Informants alleged, "Jo Jin-woong was a member of a delinquent gang. He and that group stole a vehicle. He was also involved in sexual assault."
According to the tip-offs, Jo Jin-woong stole a car that had been left running and parked by the roadside with a group of delinquents, drove it without a license, and attempted sexual assault in the stolen vehicle, after which he was sent to a juvenile detention center. It was also reported that he faced a criminal trial on charges of robbery and rape under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes when he was a second-year high school student.
In addition, it emerged that after becoming an adult and during his years as an unknown actor he received a fine for assault charges and also had his license revoked for drunk driving. This led to suspicions that the reason Jo Jin-woong changed his stage name from his birth name, Jo Won-jun, to Jo Jin-woong, taken from his father's name, was to hide this criminal record.
Meanwhile, Jo Jin-woong's agency Saram Entertainment began verifying the facts. However, because these events occurred long ago, there were difficulties in the verification process, and naturally the statement was delayed. Ultimately, the agency delivered its official position only as it approached 10 p.m.
The agency opened by saying, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern by delaying the announcement of our position," and added, "As confirmed with the actor, there were wrongful actions during his minor years," while also explaining, "This is based on partially confirmed facts, so it is difficult to fully ascertain the circumstances more than 30 years later, and the related legal procedures have already been concluded, so there are limits." However, it drew a clear line, saying, "We want to make it clear that this is unrelated to any sexual assault-related acts."
Regarding the assault and drunk-driving controversies from his unknown years, the agency bowed its head and said, "The actor himself takes very seriously and deeply reflects on the moments after becoming an adult when inadequate judgment caused concern. We sincerely apologize to everyone who suffered damage and pain because of the actor's past mistakes. We are also sorry for disappointing those who supported Jo Jin-woong."
Regarding the change of stage name, the agency explained, "Please kindly understand the actor's sincere intention that using his father's name as a stage name was not intended to hide the past but stemmed from a resolution to vow to himself and become a better person," and again apologized, saying, "We once again apologize for causing concern."
Meanwhile, attention is focused on tvN's "Signal 2," which was scheduled to air and has been drawn into the controversy over Jo Jin-woong. "Signal 2" is the sequel to "Signal," which aired in 2016, and Jo Jin-woong was expected to appear in season 2 following season 1 as the lead detective Lee Jae-han of the violent crimes division. The drama was preproduced, with filming completed last August, and with many fans' expectations and a planned schedule for next year, this controversy has arisen, focusing attention on the show's future. In addition, the SBS current affairs and culture program "War with Gangs," for which Jo Jin-woong narrated, said it "will take appropriate measures."
[Photo] OSEN DB
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