Actor Jo Jin-woong Acknowledges Past Juvenile Crimes, Denies Sexual Assault Allegations

Actor Jo Jin-woong has admitted to committing serious crimes during his youth but has drawn a clear line regarding allegations of sexual assault. He clarified that using his father's name as his stage name was not an attempt to erase his juvenile record but a personal commitment to becoming a better person.

On the 5th, Jo Jin-woong's agency, Saram Entertainment, stated, "The decision to use his father's name was not to hide his past but a sincere resolution to improve himself. We kindly ask for your understanding of the actor's genuine intentions."

Jo Jin-woong acknowledged his juvenile record. The agency confirmed, "After checking with the actor, it was confirmed that there were wrongdoings during his minor years. However, these are based on partially verified facts, and it is challenging to fully understand the circumstances over 30 years later. The related legal procedures have already been concluded, which presents limitations." They emphasized, "We clearly state that he is not involved in any sexual assault-related acts."

The agency further added, "The actor deeply regrets and reflects on moments of poor judgment even after becoming an adult. He sincerely apologizes to all those who were hurt and affected by his past mistakes. We also apologize to those who have supported Jo Jin-woong for any disappointment caused."

On the same day, a media outlet reported that Jo Jin-woong was involved in serious crimes during high school, received juvenile protection measures, and was sent to a juvenile detention center. Informants claimed that he was a school bully involved in car theft and sexual violence incidents, spending a significant portion of his third year in a correctional facility.

The outlet also reported that Jo Jin-woong was fined for assaulting a theater troupe member during a drinking session in 2003, raising questions about whether his use of his father's name was related to his past record.

Jo Jin-woong is currently filming the sequel to the drama 'Signal,' titled 'Second Signal.'

Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr