Actor Cho Jin-woong, who appeared in the film ‘Go to the End’. Still photo

Allegations against actor Cho Jin-woong, who announced his retirement after juvenile and adult criminal records were exposed, are ongoing.

A, who introduced himself as an industry worker and a witness to assault and verbal abuse by Cho Jin-woong, posted on the 8th in an online community an article titled ‘The Reason Cho Jin-woong Hastily Announced His Retirement’ and claimed, “Because in this situation, if he pushes back, there is a lot that will explode one after another.”

A said, “At a staff dinner for the film ‘Commander Kim Chang-soo’, he picked a fight with supporting actor Mr. Jeong over acting ability, which escalated into fisticuffs and a melee, so his manager whisked him home, and at the time the head of his company apologized to Mr. Jeong; it was a total mess.”

Additionally, he said, “(Cho Jin-woong) every time he drinks, he gets into trouble with colleagues in the film industry and ruins the mood; he was notorious as such an actor,” and added, “Mr. Song and Mr. Kwak likewise piled up bad words and behavior and became shunned for casting, but this time their past blew up properly and they were finished.”

A said, “The image of Cho Jin-woong has been so negative in the industry that it has been quite a while since work stopped coming in. So the trick this guy came up with was ‘left-wing coin’ and politics,” adding, “He tried to get support and ‘connections’ there and push through, and this is what happened.”

He continued, “If you actually meet him at a drinking table, there is no worse nuisance,” and, “He starts off solemn and gentlemanly, then turns into a wreck; those who have not experienced it do not know. You can immediately see the level.”

Poster for the film ‘Commander Kim Chang-soo’. Provided by the distributor

Beyond his past crimes, multiple industry revelations about Cho Jin-woong are also continuing. Documentary director Heo Cheol recently disclosed that in 2014, while moving between film-related events, he was struck in the face by Cho Jin-woong in a car for no reason. He added that he later demanded an apology from Cho Jin-woong but was dismissed with, “I do not remember.”

Heo also alleged that at the time he was assaulted, another male actor who has now become famous was also assaulted by Cho Jin-woong.

In fact, within the industry, Cho Jin-woong had long been rumored for various drunken incidents and assaults. Some reacted, “What was bound to burst has burst.”

Cho Jin-woong acknowledged his juvenile record (robbery and rape) and his adult convictions for assault and drunk driving, and announced his retirement as an actor. However, he asserted, “The parts related to sex crimes are not true.”

Regarding the retirement of Cho Jin-woong, public opinion opposing and defending it also followed, mainly among ruling-party figures. Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun said on a recent live broadcast, “I am someone who suspects that operators pulled a job because of the various activities Cho Jin-woong carried out during the pro-Moon period.”