Comedian Cho Sae-ho reached a turning point 13 days after suspending activities as the flow of the controversy began to shift. As the person implicated gave a direct explanation and colleagues publicly expressed their trust, attention is turning to the possibility of Cho Sae-ho's return.
Cho Sae-ho was embroiled in allegations that he received an expensive gift, promoted a franchise run by a member of an organized crime group, and had drinks with a racketeer from the Geochang area of South Gyeongsang Province. As the controversy spread, he left all programs he was appearing on and suspended his activities.
Earlier on the 9th, Cho Sae-ho said, "I informed both programs of my intention to withdraw because I judged that I could place an unnecessary burden on programs and teams such as 'You Quiz on the Block' and '2 Days & 1 Night season 4.'" He added, "The allegations made are completely untrue," and "I will use this time to reflect on myself and return with a more mature appearance."
On the 22nd, the 13th day since the controversy erupted, the mood changed as a key figure in the allegations stepped forward. Eun Hyun-jang, who runs the YouTube channel "Master of Business," met with Kim Joo-ho, the owner of the restaurant in question, and released a clarification video. Kim Joo-ho said he is a 10-year comedian who appeared on shows such as "Comedy Big League" and "Time Expedition" and is a self-employed person who has maintained a long friendship with Cho Sae-ho.
Kim Joo-ho explained that the person shown in the photo presented as "evidence that Cho Sae-ho associated with gangsters" was not a member of organized crime but the high school son of a franchise owner who had been working part-time at the store. He said, "Because of the photo and video, people around me misunderstood and asked if he was a gangster, and he is currently receiving psychiatric treatment," and he pleaded, "The photos taken where I was absent were used in a distorted way."
He also rebutted claims about a shopping mall labeled "the country's largest illegal money-laundering site," saying, "There is hardly any actual operation, and monthly sales do not even reach 100,000 won." He said, "The restaurant I run, which bears the burden of key money and rent, has seen sales plummet as it appeared in the news, and boycott mentions have arisen with the stigma of being a 'gangster restaurant,'" and he lamented, "My family is under severe stress for fear of being misunderstood."
Support from fellow entertainers for Cho Sae-ho has also continued. In particular, Yu Jae-seok, who had co-hosted "You Quiz on the Block," carried on with the program alone and referred to Cho Sae-ho's absence. Yu Jae-seok said, "We have been together for a long time, and being alone hosting brings many thoughts," and "As he himself said, I hope this time will be a beneficial opportunity for him to reflect on himself."
Also, at the "Pinkaego" awards ceremony, when Cho Sae-ho was introduced as a candidate for the grand prize, Yu Jae-seok said, "Although he could not attend today, please give him a round of applause," and Song Eun I also publicly added, "Sae-ho really worked hard."
After the allegations, Cho Sae-ho immediately chose to step down and entered a period of self-reflection. With the person's explanation and colleagues' expressions of trust, the controversy has entered a new phase. Attention is focused on whether Cho Sae-ho can clear up the allegations and return to the stage, and on his next steps.
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]