Comedian Cho Sae-ho, who had suspended activities amid allegations of ties to organized crime, will return to broadcasting with a new season of Screwballs.
On the 31st, a representative for the Netflix variety show Screwballs told OSEN, "Both the cast and production team are working hard to prepare the new season. Cho Sae-ho will, following the previous season, also join the next season of Screwballs," making an official statement.
Screwballs is a variety show that captures the joys and sorrows of life assembled without screws by the top 99% of talents. Park In-seok, the producer-director who once led KBS2's variety show Hong Kim Jeon, serves as the main director, and Kim Sook, Hong Jin Kyung, Cho Sae-ho, Joo Woo-jae and 2PM's Jang Wooyoung—who formed ties on Hong Kim Jeon—are appearing.
So far, Screwballs has presented the first season Screwballs, the second season Screwballs and the third season Screwballs: Screwballs disassembly show. Season 4 is now forthcoming. Among this, Cho Sae-ho, who had announced a suspension of activities, will appear in season 4 as well.
On the 9th, Cho Sae-ho was embroiled in allegations of ties to organized crime by an internet user. The writer claimed on personal social media that Choi, a key figure in the largest organization in the Geochang area, operated an online illegal gambling site, laundered illegal funds and committed other crimes, and that he had collusive ties with Cho Sae-ho. The post specifically alleged that Cho Sae-ho promoted Choi's franchise restaurant, received expensive gifts as compensation, and was close friends with Choi's wife as well.
Initially, Cho Sae-ho's side denied the allegations, saying Choi was merely an acquaintance met at a local event and that any suggestion of compensation was "baseless." However, when successive revelations were promised, he issued an apology and suspended broadcasting activities. He added that he would continue to take stronger legal action against malicious comments and other untrue claims.
Less than a month later, reports emerged that Cho Sae-ho would join a new program. Having withdrawn en masse from existing variety shows such as 2 Days & 1 Night season 4 and You Quiz on the Block, Cho Sae-ho's quick return through Screwballs 4 has drawn attention.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]