Actor Cho Jin-woong (49, real name Cho Won-jun), who left the entertainment industry after his juvenile criminal record was revealed, is now facing a series of assault allegations from past filming sets and drinking gatherings.
While some have argued that "criticizing someone for mistakes made 30 years ago is excessive," others in the industry counter that "if the assaults continued during his adult career, the nature of the problem is different."
According to reports by Hankyung.com and Dispatch on Wednesday, multiple instances have been confirmed where Cho allegedly assaulted fellow actors and crew members on set even after becoming a leading actor.
A veteran actor identified as "A" reportedly left a film set after being assaulted by Cho, who only apologized afterward. Another actor "B" said, "A few years ago, I saw Cho slap a junior actor and discipline him harshly. The victim was an older actor, so it was quite shocking. I avoided him outside of filming."
Allegations of assault at drinking gatherings also emerged. A production company official "C" said, "At a company dinner, he kept hitting the back of my head as if joking. I felt bad but laughed it off to avoid ruining the atmosphere." Other officials claimed they were slapped or kicked.
Documentary director Heo Cheol publicly disclosed his own assault experience. On Tuesday, he wrote on Facebook, "The person who punched me in the face for no reason at a gathering with film industry people in 2014 was Cho Jin-woong."
"People around us stopped it so I couldn't fight back, and after hitting me, he suddenly started crying," Heo wrote. He said he demanded an apology through Cho's manager, but Cho claimed he "didn't remember" and refused to apologize. Instead, only the manager knelt down to apologize.
"I also heard that same night, Cho poured ice on another young actor and assaulted him," Heo added.
Heo said he actually felt forgiving after hearing news of Cho's retirement. "After that day, I would turn off the screen whenever I saw Cho's face due to trauma, but seeing this controversy, I felt not anger but emptiness toward the world," he wrote. "I hope he acts again. Someday when we meet, let's have a glass of soju, let him take one slap from me, and end it there."
Cho's agency, Saram Entertainment, drew a line, saying, "Since he is currently retired and not engaged in entertainment activities, it is difficult to issue an official statement on this matter."
Previously, it was revealed that Cho was sent to a juvenile detention center during high school on charges of robbery and rape under the Aggravated Punishment Act. It was also disclosed that he was fined for assaulting a theater troupe member as an adult, and had his license revoked for drunk driving during the filming of the 2004 film "Spirit of Jeet Kune Do" (also known as "Once Upon a Time in High School").
The agency stated, "The juvenile criminal record has been confirmed, but it is unrelated to sexual assault. We take seriously that poor judgment as an adult has caused concern."
