The comedian Cho Sae-ho's side strongly denied the controversial 'organized crime involvement' allegations and said it is collecting evidence regarding the over-the-line exposés.
On the 8th, an internet user identified by the nickname 'Pyo prosecutor' posted additional exposés about Cho Sae-ho on his personal account. "I thought a lot over the weekend," he began, and he insisted, "From tomorrow I'll fight again, one by one, until the truth wins. Tomorrow I received many tips about gambling money laundering, so I'll post about that," he claimed. He even added, "My favorite comedian Cho Sae-ho should stop saying he'll keep suing and instead explain himself like a man," summoning Cho Sae-ho once more.
The person surnamed A previously alleged that Cho Sae-ho was close friends with Mr. Choi, the leader of the largest organization in the Geochang area who is also an organized crime member operating an illegal online gambling site and laundering funds. He claimed that Cho Sae-ho promoted Mr. Choi's franchise restaurants and received expensive gifts as payment. As evidence, he repeatedly pointed to what appeared to be photos of Cho Sae-ho and Mr. Choi drinking together and other circumstances suggesting Mr. Choi even attended Cho Sae-ho's wedding and seemed to know Cho Sae-ho's wife.
However, in response, Cho Sae-ho's side drew a line, saying Mr. Choi is merely an acquaintance and that claims of paid gifts are 'groundless.' They also announced plans for legal action over the spread of false information. Afterwards, the person surnamed A deleted the initial exposé posts. But after mentioning additional exposés about Cho Sae-ho's alleged organized crime involvement, attention has returned.
In addition, the person surnamed A continued an unrestrained course that has caused further confusion, posting warnings about Mr. Choi such as "this is a fight you cannot win" and "you could be seriously hurt," and even revealing a Telegram address for receiving related tips on a mobile messenger.
But criticisms that the person surnamed A is going too far have also emerged. What the person surnamed A actually objects to is Mr. Choi's operation of an illegal online gambling site and the related money laundering. Even if Cho Sae-ho were more than an acquaintance of Mr. Choi, merely promoting a franchise restaurant is difficult to view as an illegal act. As a result, some in the public feel that the person surnamed A is exploiting Cho Sae-ho's fame to justify private punishment of Mr. Choi, prompting backlash.
The SNS account 'Pyo prosecutor' of the person surnamed A is unclear as to whether he is actually a prosecutor. Moreover, before mentioning Cho Sae-ho, his follower count was only about 100, but it has since surpassed around 10,000, drawing attention.
Meanwhile, despite Cho Sae-ho's explanation that he is simply an acquaintance of Mr. Choi, calls have arisen for him to step down from various variety shows in which he appears regularly, including KBS 2TV's 2 Days & 1 Night and tvN's You Quiz on the Block. The person surnamed A even suggested that Cho Sae-ho's wife met Mr. Choi, leaving open the possibility of further exposés.
Cho Sae-ho's side told OSEN, "There is nothing particularly changed beyond our initial position. We are collecting evidence for legal action. We believe it has crossed the line that not only the artist but also his family are being unnecessarily mentioned."
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]