Jo Byung-gyu's 'Academic Violence Controversy' risk, breaking through the front of 'Gyeongsomun 2'?

tvN's new Saturday drama 'Wonderful Rumor 2: Counter Punch' seems to be taking the risk of controversy over school violence by Jo Byeong-gyu, the main character.

On the 8th, tvN released a picture from the script reading of 'Amazing Rumors 2: Counter Punch' (hereafter Gyeongsomun 2). At the scene of the script reading, Yoo Seon-dong PD, who caught the megaphone again after season 1. Writer Kim Sae-bom, who wrote the script, Jo Byeong-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, Yeom Hye-ran, and Ahn Seok-hwan attended. Here are the new cast members Jin Seon-gyu, Kang Ki-young, and Kim Hi-ara. Yoo In-su was also with them.

Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, 'Gyeongsomun 2' depicts the story of demon hunter counters who have become stronger with new abilities and recruiting new members to defeat the demons on the ground that have become more evil. 'Amazing Rumors', which aired on OCN in 2020, ended with the highest viewership rating of 11%. This is OCN's all-time drama rating record.

'Gyeongsomun 2' returns after 3 years since the end of Season 1. Season 1 There is no change in existing members. Cho Byeong-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, and Yum Hye-ran were united as they were, and new cast members were only added. The 'Gyeongsomun 2' side released photos of the script reading on the same day, along with comments from Yoo Seon-dong PD and Yoo Jun-sang.

Producer Yoo Seon-dong said, "It's a new feeling. Counterz and the existing staff thank you for coming with us, and we warmly welcome the newly joined actors and staff." Yoo Jun-sang expressed his wish, "Let's go together until season 7." The 'Gyeongsomun 2' side showed a cautious reaction to Jo Byeong-gyu, who could not escape the school violence controversy. It was because it was Yoo Jun-sang's comment, not Jo Byeong-gyu's, who was listed as the first member of the cast.

Previously, Cho Byeong-gyu was identified as a perpetrator of school violence a total of 4 times. In 2018, suspicions were raised that Cho Byeong-gyu was the perpetrator of school violence. Cho Byeong-gyu denied this. Three years later, he was caught up in suspicion of school violence again. The revelation article appeared as many as three times. In the end, Jo Byeong-gyu said, "How on earth am I supposed to prove that I'm not me? How do I remember and prove things from 11 years ago, or at most 16 years ago?" Jo Byeong-gyu's agency also said, "We will ask for legal responsibility."

Afterwards, the revealer, Cho Byeong-gyu, and Cho Byeong-gyu's agency did not take any position. In fact, the game of truth escalated into chaos and became an 'unsolved' case. After that, Jo Byeong-gyu appeared in the drama 'History of a Fool', the movie 'Once Again If I Die', and 'School Caste'. The published work is one of 'School Caste', which was released on the OTT platform Teabing.

At present, the authenticity of Jo Byeong-gyu's school violence controversy is not certain. Even the person claiming to be a victim has no longer said anything. In response, the 'Gyeongsomun 2' side revealed the scene of the script reading and showed a willingness to break through the risk head-on. However, I drew a line by inserting Yoo Jun-sang's comment, not Jo Byeong-gyu's comment.

Reporter Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia kkk39@tenasia.co.kr