Park Na-rae, Cho Se-ho, Cho Jin-woong.

Within a single day, bombshell controversies have erupted one after another, sending the entertainment industry into a stir.

On the 4th, yesterday, following comedian Park Na-rae’s ‘abuse of power controversy’, allegations surfaced that broadcaster Cho Se-ho was ‘linked to organized crime’. In addition, today a shocking allegation was raised that actor Cho Jin-woong had been a juvenile offender for robbery and rape during high school. The agencies have responded in different ways. The side representing Park Na-rae said, “We are checking the matter with a law firm,” while the side representing Cho Se-ho strongly denied it as “false information.” The side representing Cho Jin-woong said, “We are still verifying the facts.”

As each agency takes a cautious approach, questions remain about what is true, but the buoyant year-end mood is already being doused with cold water.

Broadcaster Park Na-rae, recently accused of drunken behavior, abuse of power, proxy prescriptions, and failure to register her agency. Photo by Lee Sun-Myung 57km@kyunghyang.com

■ Park Na-rae, sued for abuse of managers and injury···100 million won damages claim

On the 4th, comedian Park Na-rae became embroiled in an abuse-of-power controversy.

On the same day, Dispatch reported that former managers of Park Na-rae filed on the 3rd for provisional attachment of her real estate. According to the report, the former managers are preparing a damages lawsuit of about 100 million won, citing workplace harassment, aggravated assault, proxy prescriptions, and unpaid production expenses.

The former managers claimed that Park Na-rae assigned them personal tasks such as running errands for food, cleaning up after parties, and forcing them to sit in on drinking gatherings, effectively requiring round-the-clock on-call duty. They also alleged that they were verbally abused for not drinking alcohol and were injured by a glass thrown in anger by Park Na-rae.

They asserted that after deciding to resign, when they asked the company to settle overdue production expenses, they were told, “We will file a complaint for defamation and forgery of private documents.”

In response, Park Na-rae’s agency said, “We are making a final check on the matter together with a law firm,” adding, “We will state our position as soon as整理 is complete.”

After these allegations emerged, it also became known that N Park, Park Na-rae’s one-person agency, was not registered for the popular culture and arts management business. The recording of MBC’s new variety show ‘I Am Excited Too’, in which Park Na-rae was scheduled to appear on the 5th, was postponed.

Broadcaster Cho Se-ho. Photo Netflix

■ Cho Se-ho, tied to a crime syndicate?···Agency: “Defamation by stating false facts and obstruction of business”

That same day, broadcaster Cho Se-ho faced allegations that he was connected to organized crime.

Recently, a social media (SNS) account posted a photo showing Cho Se-ho with his arm around a man, sparking controversy.

The uploader, Mr. A, claimed that the person in the photo was ‘a key figure in a group that operates an illegal gambling site’, and alleged that Cho Se-ho promoted a franchise effectively owned by this person and received expensive gifts.

Broadcaster Cho Se-ho. Instagram account screenshot

However, A2Z Entertainment, Cho Se-ho’s agency, issued an official statement on the 5th strongly denying the claims, saying, “The suspicion that Cho Se-ho was directly or indirectly involved in the acts of an organized crime group is merely the informant’s speculation and is not true.”

The agency added, “This constitutes defamation by stating false facts and obstruction of business,” and said, “We are actively reviewing criminal and civil legal action against the informant.”

Actor Cho Jin-woong. Provided by Netflix

■ Cho Jin-woong, suspicion of being a former ‘juvenile offender for robbery and rape’···allegations of assaulting a colleague and drunk driving as well

On the 5th, actor Cho Jin-woong also became embroiled in controversy over his past private life.

That day, Dispatch reported that during high school, Cho Jin-woong was involved in serious crimes such as theft and sexual assault and was sent to a juvenile detention center. It was also reported that after becoming an adult he was fined for assaulting a theater troupe colleague and had his license revoked for drunk driving.

This has led to speculation that his decision to change his stage name to the name of his father and to conceal details of his past such as his birthday and education was “a choice to erase past serious crimes.”

In response, Saram Entertainment, Cho Jin-woong’s agency, said, “We are checking the facts regarding the report. Once things become clear, we will organize and announce an official position.”

Cho Jin-woong is currently awaiting the broadcast of the new tvN drama ‘Second Signal’, slated to air next year. Although ‘Second Signal’ is a follow-up to ‘Signal’, returning after ten years and drawing great anticipation, the emergence of allegations about Cho Jin-woong’s private life has put the parties involved on alert.