Amid widespread speculation over actor Jang Dong-ju's sudden retirement announcement, a close associate expressed sorrow over Jang Dong-ju's current condition and the rampant conjecture.
On the 15th, Jang Dong-ju posted on social media, "Today I will lay down my life as actor Jang Dong-ju. Although I am leaving the stage, I will never forget the hearts you have given me. Thank you sincerely for loving actor Jang Dong-ju until now," announcing his retirement.
After revealing in January that his cellphone had been hacked and that he had been blackmailed, and then saying he was burdened with large debts, his retirement announcement about four months later drew attention to its authenticity and background. On the 16th, one outlet reported, citing officials, that Jang Dong-ju visited an entertainment establishment alone in Seocho District, Seoul, on the night of the 14th and had a drinking session costing about 3 million won.
According to the report, it was learned that Jang Dong-ju received 10 million won from the establishment as an advance payment on the grounds that an acquaintance would pay, but his companions did not show up by 3 a.m. on the 15th, so the establishment called the police. An official told the outlet that Jang Dong-ju promised to deposit 13 million won by 6 p.m. the next day and was sent home, and that a post about his retirement was posted on social media afterward.
As Jang Dong-ju did not clarify the background or authenticity of his retirement or the alleged bar bill, suspicions intensified. On the 15th, a close associate who said they met Jang Dong-ju and spoke with him directly conveyed the current situation and their sorrow to OSEN.
A, Jang Dong-ju's hometown younger sibling and a close aide who lived and worked with him as a personal manager for about two years, told OSEN, "At first I didn't know, but I noticed the door being closed longer than usual and when I asked, he said he had lost a lot of money due to a cellphone hacking incident. Maybe out of pride he tried to hide the damage and handle it alone, but the debt seems to have grown beyond what he can handle," recalling the time when he suffered hacking damage.
A said Jang Dong-ju is currently showing symptoms of social avoidance and has cut off contact with the outside except for family and close aides, and expressed sorrow as allegations such as leaving without paying for drinks have been raised. A, who said they met Jang Dong-ju before the article came out, said, "Regardless of the authenticity of the allegation, it feels like this fragmented incident is condemning Dong-ju hyung's whole life," expressing their sadness.
A said that when they first came to Seoul and had not yet settled, Jang Dong-ju helped with about 150 million won for a house deposit, and added, "Having watched him up close, Jang Dong-ju is truly a good person and an older brother with much to learn from. He is going through a very hard time right now, and it is painful that these allegations have surfaced," explaining why they contacted reporters directly.
Debuting in 2012 in the play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Jang Dong-ju became known through the drama School 2017 and appeared in Mr. Periodic, I'll be your night, Unmasked, No Tail to Tell, and films including Honest Candidate, Count, and Handsome Guys.
[OSEN]