Comedian Cho Sae-ho ended his hiatus less than a month after pausing activities for the new season of Screwballs.
On the 31st, a representative for Netflix variety show Screwballs told OSEN, "Both the cast and the production team are diligently preparing the new season. Cho Sae-ho will also join the next season of Screwballs following the previous season," in 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. It is a program that reunites Kim Sook, Hong Jin Kyung, Cho Sae-ho, Joo Woo-jae and 2PM member Jang Wooyoung with producer Park In-seok, who worked together on KBS2 variety show Hongkimdongjeon, and in effect fans perceive it as Hongkimdongjeon with only the name changed.
The cancellation of Hongkimdongjeon itself had already sparked controversy to the point of provoking viewer backlash. Despite ratings, its rising buzz led Netflix to quickly schedule Screwballs, which has met viewers with three seasons so far: Screwballs: searching for the lost screw, Screwballs: searching for the lost steering wheel, and Screwballs: Screwballs breakup show.
The production team was preparing season 4 of Screwballs. Cho Sae-ho was set to join as a fixed member as in previous seasons.
Although an original member, Cho Sae-ho's joining season 4 drew attention because he recently announced a suspension of activities. He recently halted activities with the resolve to reflect on his life after being swept up in allegations of ties to organized crime.
Following the suspension, Cho Sae-ho stepped down one after another from programs he was appearing in, including KBS2 variety show 1 Night 2 Days season 4 and tvN variety show You Quiz on the Block. On You Quiz on the Block, host Yu Jae-seok expressed regret, saying, "We have been together for a long time, and now that I have to host 'You Quiz' by myself today," and advised, "As he himself said, I hope this becomes a useful time for him to reflect on himself again."
Cho Sae-ho's suspension was decided after he was embroiled in allegations of ties to organized crime by an internet user on the 9th. That internet user claimed on personal social media that Choi, a key figure in the largest organization in the Geochang area, committed crimes including operating an illegal online gambling site and laundering illegal funds, and alleged that Cho Sae-ho had collusive ties with Choi.
Above all, the initial exposé included an old photo said to show Cho Sae-ho with Choi and allegations that he promoted a franchise restaurant and received expensive gifts as compensation, which caused an uproar. Additionally, an extra exposé promising that Choi is also very close friends with Cho Sae-ho's wife was announced, adding to the shock.
In response, Cho Sae-ho's side denied the allegations, saying Choi was merely an acquaintance met at local events and that the claims of compensation were "groundless." However, as successive exposés were promised, he issued an apology and suspended broadcasting activities. He also expressed grievance, announcing a plan for strong legal action against false claims and malicious comments.
Ultimately, less than a month after declaring his suspension, news of Cho Sae-ho's new program has emerged. Attention is focused on whether Cho Sae-ho's quick return will lead to a smooth reentry into broadcasting.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]