South Korean actor Cho Jin-woong has announced his retirement from acting following controversy about crimes he committed as a minor. Reports recently surfaced alleging that he was involved in sexual assault and theft during his high school years. In response, Jin-woong admitted to some past offences, including theft and assault, but denied any involvement in sexual assault.
Cho Jin-woong Retires Amid Past Juvenile Offences
In an official statement released by his agency, Saram Entertainment, the 49-year-old actor said that it is difficult to fully verify events from over 30 years ago. The statement emphasized that legal procedures for his past offences were already concluded. Jin-woong expressed regret for disappointing his fans and said he would halt all professional activities to reflect on his past actions.
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Cho Jin-woong’s real name is Cho Won-joon, and he explained that he chose his stage name as a pledge to become a better person, not to hide his past. He made his acting debut in 2004 with Spirit of Jeet Kune Do: Once Upon a Time in High School and later gained fame for his roles in Nameless Gangster: Rules of The Time (2012) and the 2016 series Signal. He had also completed filming the second season of Signal, which was scheduled to air in 2026.
Following his retirement announcement, some public figures and experts spoke in support of him. Professor Han In-sup from Seoul National University emphasized that Jin-woong had already faced legal consequences for his juvenile offences. He highlighted that the juvenile justice system is designed to allow young people to learn from their mistakes and reform, and he praised Jin-woong for his efforts to become a better person.
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Additionally, actor Jung Joon shared his support on Instagram, recalling Jin-woong’s humility and dedication on set during his early career. Jung acknowledged that while past mistakes were serious, Jin-woong had paid for them in his youth and grown into a respected actor. The support from peers and experts has sparked discussion about forgiveness and how society should view past mistakes of public figures who have lived responsibly since.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
