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[SEOUL=Newsis] Actor Jo Jin-woong. (Photo courtesy of Saram Entertainment) 2024.07.31. photo@newsis.com *Resale and DB prohibited

[SEOUL=Newsis] Reporter Choi Ji-yoon: Actor Jo Jin-woong (49, Jo Won-joon) retired due to his past juvenile delinquency record, but industry revelations keep coming.

A posted a piece on an online café on the 8th titled 'The Reason Jo Jin-woong Hurriedly Announced His Retirement,' claiming to be an industry insider and witness to Jo Jin-woong's assault and verbal abuse. They pointed out, "If he tries to act up in this situation, there is a lot more stuff that is going to explode in sequence."

"At the wrap party for the movie 'Man of Will' (2017), he picked a fight with supporting actor Mr. Jung over acting skills, which escalated into a fistfight and total chaos. The manager had to sneak him home, and Jo Jin-woong's company CEO at the time apologized to Mr. Jung—it was a damn mess. (Jo Jin-woong) was notorious in the film industry as an actor who constantly caused trouble with colleagues and ruined the vibe whenever he drank. Mr. Song and Mr. Kwak were also well-known for their bad behavior piling up, making them casting liabilities in the movie industry, but this time, their past history truly blew up and sent them straight to hell."

A added, "Signal 2 only cast him because the prequel was so beloved, but Jo Jin-woong’s image has been so badly cemented in the industry lately that he hasn't been getting offers for quite a while. That's why this dude's brilliant idea was the 'Left-wing coin' and politics," criticizing, "This is the mess he got into trying to get support and ‘backup’ (빽) from that side." "Honestly, if you meet him at a drinking session, you won't find a bigger jerk (진상). He starts off solemn and gentle but turns into a dog. People who haven't experienced it wouldn't know. His level is just so obvious."

Film director Heo Chul was also assaulted by Jo Jin-woong but forgave him. On the 7th, he wrote on Facebook, 'There is a person who punched me in the face one day in 2014. It was Jo Jin-woong. That night, he supposedly poured ice on and hit another male actor (who is now famous).' He continued, 'I saw his news today and learned about his past record. For the first time, a feeling of forgiveness came up. It's not anger toward this actor, but rage toward the people of the world that is boiling up. It's the gaze and finger-pointing of the people who are making him retire. I earnestly hope he returns to acting. When we meet again someday, let's have a shot of soju, let him slap me just once, and coolly shake it off.'

Dispatch reported on the 5th that Jo Jin-woong received juvenile protective disposition for a serious crime during high school and was sent to a juvenile detention center. In 1994, when he was a sophomore in high school, he faced criminal trial on charges of robbery and rape under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes. It was pointed out that this is why he uses his father's name, Jo Jin-woong, instead of his birth name. In 2003, during his time as a stage actor, he was fined for assault. A conviction for drunk driving was also confirmed after his debut in the movie 'Once Upon a Time in High School' the following year.

The next day, Jo Jin-woong announced his retirement. He stated, 'I deeply apologize for disappointing everyone who believed in and supported me due to my past disgraceful incidents,' adding, 'I humbly accept the criticism and, as of today, I am suspending all activities, aiming to put a period on my path as an actor. This is the rightful responsibility and duty I must bear regarding my past misdeeds.'

Reporter Choi Ji-yoon (plain@newsis.com)

https://n.news.naver.com/article/003/0013651120?sid=102