Broadcaster Cho Sae-ho voluntarily left 2 Days & 1 Night amid allegations of ties to organized crime. With attention on recruiting additional members, 2 Days & 1 Night will for now leave Cho Sae-ho's seat empty and continue broadcasting.
On the 9th, a representative of KBS 2TV's 2 Days & 1 Night told OSEN, "(After Cho Sae-ho's departure) we will proceed with a five-member format for the time being," and issued an official statement.
Earlier, a revelation attracted attention that Cho Sae-ho was said to be a close friend of Mr. Choi, the ringleader of the largest violent organization in the Geochang region and an operator of an illegal online gambling site. Whistleblower A claimed that Cho Sae-ho promoted Mr. Choi's franchise restaurant and received expensive gifts in return, presenting photos and circumstances as evidence. The released photos showed scenes of Cho Sae-ho and Mr. Choi sharing drinks or attending a wedding together.
Regarding this, Cho Sae-ho's side drew a line, saying, "Mr. Choi is merely an acquaintance; there is no quid pro quo relationship," and, "We are preparing legal action against the spreading false information." However, A temporarily deleted the post and then republished it, warning of additional revelations related to Cho Sae-ho.
Eventually, on that day, Cho Sae-ho's agency A2Z Entertainment said in an official press release that "Cho Sae-ho will leave tvN's You Quiz on the Block and KBS 2TV's 2 Days & 1 Night."
Cho Sae-ho's side said, "Cho Sae-ho feels a deep sense of responsibility for the misunderstandings and controversies recently raised about him. First, Cho Sae-ho fully recognizes the discomfort felt by viewers who love the program. He also does not want the production staff, who make the program with sweat and blood, to carry a burden because of the attention on him. After consulting with the program's production team, he decided to voluntarily leave," they said.
They added, "Cho Sae-ho and his agency plan to respond more sternly to this matter. Legal action to resolve misunderstandings surrounding Cho Sae-ho and to restore his damaged image will be carried out more swiftly and firmly going forward," and, "We promise to dispel all current suspicions fully and return in good health."
Regarding this, 2 Days & 1 Night said, "Cho Sae-ho's side judged that continuing with existing schedules while public concern remains would not be helpful to the individual programs, the performer, or the public who continue to express concern, and expressed the intention to voluntarily leave the program."
They continued, "Accordingly, the 2 Days & 1 Night production team decided to respect the decision the performer and agency reached after careful consideration, and we hope no one is hurt in good faith during this process. We inform you that from recordings after the previously filmed segments, Cho Sae-ho will not participate in the program."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]