Actor Jo Jin-woong's side explained allegations that he was from a juvenile detention center.
On the 5th, his agency, Saram Entertainment, issued an official statement saying, "After checking with the actor, we confirmed that there were wrong actions during his minor years," acknowledging part of the controversy.
Earlier that day, Dispatch reported that Jo Jin-woong was a person who received juvenile detention for involvement in a serious crime during high school. The informants claimed about Jo Jin-woong, "He joined a delinquent gang and participated in car theft and a sexual assault incident, and after a criminal trial he was sent to a juvenile detention center."
It also reported that it had obtained statements saying that Jo Jin-woong had records of assault and drunk driving during his university years and his struggling period. It said he received a fine for beating a fellow troupe member during his theater days and had his license revoked for drunk driving.
In this regard, his agency, Saram Entertainment, had previously said, "We are confirming the facts." Meanwhile, upon verification, some of the reported contents were confirmed to be true.
However, it explained, "This is based on partially confirmed facts, and because it was more than 30 years ago, it is difficult to fully ascertain the circumstances, and the related legal procedures have already concluded, so there are limitations," and added, "We make it clear that it is unrelated to acts of sexual assault."
The agency bowed its head, saying, "The actor himself deeply accepts and reflects on the moments after becoming an adult when his poor judgment caused concern. We sincerely apologize to everyone who suffered harm and wounds due to the actor's past mistakes. We are also sorry for disappointing those who have supported actor Jo Jin-woong."
It added, "We earnestly ask that you generously understand that the fact that actor Jo Jin-woong has used his father's name as a stage name did not stem from a purpose to hide the past but from the actor's sincere determination to vow to himself and become a better person."
Below is the full official statement from Saram Entertainment.
Hello, this is Saram Entertainment.
We sincerely apologize for causing concern by delaying the announcement of our position regarding the report on actor Jo Jin-woong, and we deliver our official position.
After confirming with the actor, we confirmed that there were wrong actions during his minor years.
However, this is based on partially confirmed facts, and because it was more than 30 years ago, it is difficult to fully ascertain the circumstances, and the related legal procedures have already concluded, so there are limitations.
But we make it clear that it is unrelated to acts of sexual assault.
It went on to say that the actor himself deeply accepts and reflects on the moments after becoming an adult when his poor judgment caused concern.
We sincerely apologize to everyone who suffered harm and wounds due to the actor's past mistakes.
We are also sorry for disappointing those who have supported actor Jo Jin-woong.
However, we earnestly ask that you generously understand that the fact that actor Jo Jin-woong has used his father's name as a stage name did not stem from a purpose to hide the past but from the actor's sincere determination to vow to himself and become a better person.
Once again, we deeply apologize for causing concern.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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