Actor Cho Jin-woong has withdrawn from public life and cut off contact with those around him following his announcement of retirement from the entertainment industry, according to a local report.

According to a recent video titled “Where is Cho Jin-woong now?” posted on the YouTube channel The Fact, reporter Kang Il-hong addressed the actor’s whereabouts after his retirement. In the video, Kang said Cho has completely halted all public activities and has also stopped communicating with acquaintances he was once close to.


Cho became embroiled in controversy in December last year after allegations surfaced that he had been involved in serious crimes when he was a minor. According to a report by Dispatch at the time, informants claimed that Cho had been sent to a juvenile detention center over allegations including car theft and attempted sexual assault, and that he spent most of his senior year of high school in a correctional facility.

As the controversy grew, Cho acknowledged his juvenile record through his agency but denied the allegations related to sexual assault. However, as the backlash intensified, he announced his retirement from acting, saying, “I humbly accept all criticism and will suspend all activities as of today.”

At the time, Cho also apologized, stating, “I believe this is the responsibility I must bear for my past wrongdoings. I will do my best to reflect and stand upright as an individual moving forward.”


This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY PARK JONG-SUH [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]