Jane Han is the North America editor for The Korea Times. Based in Seattle, she has covered business, culture and social issues across the United States for over 15 years. She previously worked at The Boston Globe.
Overseas fans split over Cho Jin-woong's retirement after past crime resurfaces
Cho Jin-woong / Courtesy of Plus M Entertainment
By Jane Han
SEATTLE — When news broke last week that Cho Jin-woong would retire from acting, it hit like a thunderbolt. Many international fans were caught off guard, unsure how a teenage crime from decades ago could suddenly end a long and respected career.
Reactions abroad have been complicated. Some viewers felt shocked and disappointed. Others tried to understand the context in Korea, where public figures are often expected to uphold strict personal standards. Many said they needed more information before deciding how to feel. The story has raised difficult questions about how societies balance justice, accountability and the possibility of change.
Supporters have been vocal, with one international fan writing on a popular Reddit thread, “It seems like he did his time and cleaned his act up. Unless there are additional instances of misconduct for which he wasn’t punished already, it’s a real shame he’s had to quit acting for this.”
Another commenter questioned Korean cultural expectations, saying, “Is rehabilitation or forgiveness considered unobtainable?” A third added, “What does society expect from criminals after they served their punishment? Shouldn’t we just appreciate when someone, against all odds, manages to succeed?” Others stressed that juvenile records exist for a reason, saying, “This feels unfair to me. People can reform and this is from childhood.”
Not everyone agrees. Some viewers argue that crimes involving sexual violence deserve lasting consequences. One critic wrote, “People do not just forget about this kind of crime no matter how long ago it was. The fact that he tried to cover it up by changing his name is no good here.” Another pointed to what they saw as lenient punishment, saying, “His sentence was a slap on the wrist. The retirement makes sense, because why should people watch P. Diddy and Epstein on screen?” Others said his roles as a justice-seeking detective were now difficult to watch, calling the situation deeply ironic.
The divide reflects major cultural differences. Overseas viewers often emphasize personal growth after adolescence, while Korean audiences tend to weigh a public figure’s entire life story when assessing their suitability for the screen.
For many international fans, the blow was harder because Cho was best known overseas for his role in the drama “Signal.” The show won attention globally, and “Signal 2” had been highly anticipated. Many viewers are now waiting to see whether the sequel will go forward without him, or if the project will be shelved altogether.