News concerning the past of Jo Jin Woong, star of the film Signal, has sent shockwaves through the Korean entertainment industry over the past week. On 5/12, Dispatch, a leading investigative news outlet in the country, published an exclusive report detailing the actor's criminal record.

According to the report, Jo Jin Woong (real name Jo Won Joon) faced criminal charges in 1994 while in 11th grade. He led a group of teenagers who broke into and stole at least three cars parked on the roadside. The group was apprehended while attempting to dispose of the stolen property. Dispatch's source also claimed Jo Jin Woong's group "attempted to sexually assault a girl in the stolen car." He and others were sent to a juvenile detention center, undergoing six months of rehabilitation, according to journalists Kim So Jung and Gu Min Ji.

In 1996, he was admitted to the Department of Theater and Film at Kyungsung University, later becoming a stage actor after graduation. According to Dispatch, during the early years of his career, the actor frequently visited police stations. In 2003, he assaulted a member of a theater troupe during an alcohol-fueled party, leading to a police conviction for assault and a fine.

A year later, he changed his name from Jo Won Joon to Jo Jin Woong (his father's name) and debuted in the film Once Upon a Time in High School. During filming, he was convicted of drunk driving, resulting in the revocation of his driver's license.

Sources indicate that Jo Jin Woong was also involved in numerous controversies regarding his attitude, bullying junior colleagues and leaving them traumatized and fearful. In the 2010s, he reportedly threw ice at a rookie actor's face, believing the actor had "ignored his senior's words." Several anonymous artists and a manager accused Jo Jin Woong of "slapping and kicking them at parties."

Actor Jo Jin Woong. Photo: Content Wave Inc

Following the publication of these articles, Jo Jin Woong faced a wave of criticism. On 6/12, bowing to public pressure, the Korean actor admitted to all allegations, apologized to those harmed by his actions, and announced his retirement.

According to MyDaily, there are differing opinions surrounding the scandal and Jin Woong's retirement. Kim Kyung Ho, a prominent lawyer in Seoul, South Korea, argued that the two Dispatch reporters violated the Juvenile Act by exposing the actor's past. "Society provides opportunities for minors to rebuild their lives. That is why the Juvenile Act was enacted," lawyer Kim stated. Sharing this sentiment, comedian Seung Man expressed regret on his personal page that Jo Jin Woong had to stop acting.

Jo Jin Woong, 49, is managed by Saram Entertainment. He gained recognition through numerous hit films such as Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time, A Hard Day, Signal, Me and Me, and Black Money. Thanks to his versatile acting, he was nominated for major awards including the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Busan International Film Festival, Baeksang Arts Awards, and Buil Film Awards. In 2019, market research firm Gallup Korea selected him as one of the top 10 most prominent big-screen actors in Korea.

Jo Jin Woong in the film "Signal" (2016). Video: tvN

Mai Anh (according to Dispatch)