Cho Jin-woong Retires & Park Na-rae Sued: 3 Major Scandals Rock Korea

The year 2025 is ending in the most turbulent way possible for the South Korean entertainment industry. We aren’t talking about simple dating rumors or misunderstandings; we are facing a perfect storm of criminal revelations, million-dollar legal battles, and alleged links to organized crime that threaten to destroy legendary careers.

In the last 72 hours, three of the biggest names in television and film—acclaimed actor Cho Jin-woong, comedy queen Park Na-rae, and presenter Jo Se-ho—have headlined stories that have left TV networks and fans in a state of shock.

Is this the end of the road for them? How far should “cancel culture” go in Korea? Below, we break down each case with all the information available so far.

1. The Cho Jin-woong Case: Retirement, Crime, and the Debate on Juvenile Law

The most devastating news is the fall of Cho Jin-woong. The actor, revered for his roles in Signal and The Handmaiden, announced his immediate retirement from the industry on Saturday, December 6, just one day after a local outlet exposed his criminal history.

The Revealed Facts

On Friday, a report brought to light that Cho Jin-woong was sent to a juvenile detention center during his high school years. The charges were serious: robbery and, allegedly, sexual assault. Furthermore, incidents from his adult life that had been forgotten were resurfaced:

An assault on a member of his theater troupe in 2003 (for which he paid a fine).
A drunk driving (DUI) case that resulted in the suspension of his license.

Although his agency, Saram Entertainment, admitted to “wrongdoings committed as a minor,” they firmly denied the accusation of sexual assault, claiming it is difficult to verify events from 30 years ago. However, public pressure was unsustainable.

“I accept all criticism and will halt all activities as of today. I intend to bring my acting career to a close. This is the responsibility and the duty I must bear for my past wrongdoing.” — Cho Jin-woong.

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The Domino Effect: What will happen to “Signal 2” and Cho Jin-woong?

The industry reacted with brutal speed. SBS removed Cho Jin-woong’s voice as the narrator of the documentary “War on Crime.” But the biggest concern is for tvN and K-drama fans. The highly anticipated sequel “Signal 2”, written by the famous Kim Eun-hee and starring the original cast (including Lee Je-hoon and Kim Hye-soo), had already finished filming. Now, the network is debating internally whether to cancel the premiere, which would be a devastating financial and cultural blow, as the series is based on themes of justice and conscience—values that now clash with the actor’s image.

The Legal Debate: Is it fair to dig up the past?

This is where the issue with the Cho Jin-woong case becomes complex. Legal experts cited by K-media warn that revealing sealed juvenile records could go against the spirit of the law. Han In-sup, emeritus professor at Seoul National University School of Law, argued that the purpose of juvenile justice is rehabilitation: “The fact that he did not remain trapped in that darkness and instead worked to earn social recognition should be commended… No one is obligated to broadcast their past mistakes for life.” Attorney Kim Jae-ryon cited Article 68 of the Juvenile Act, which bans reporting information that could identify juveniles involved in legal proceedings.

2. Park Na-rae: Extortion, “Jusa-imo,” and a Legal War

Comedian Park Na-rae, the face of iconic shows like I Live Alone, faces a very different but equally dangerous situation: an open war with her own ex-staff.

The Accusations from Park Na-rae’s Ex-Managers

Two former managers filed criminal complaints accusing her of:

Physical assault (alleging she hit someone with a cup/glass).
Workplace harassment.
Embezzlement of funds from her one-person agency for personal expenses.
Proxy prescriptions (illegal in Korea). Additionally, they revealed that she received injections from an unlicensed medical provider (known as “Jusa-imo”) in Taiwan during a shoot.

Park Na-rae managers scandal — Park Na-rae

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The Defense: “Million-Won Extortion” and Mental Shock

Park Na-rae broke her silence through her agency, Npark Co., describing the situation as an extortion nightmare. According to her version:

The employees resigned and received their standard severance pay.
Subsequently, they demanded an additional payment equivalent to 10% of the company’s revenue from the previous year.
Upon refusal, the demands increased to “hundreds of millions of won.”

Her agency stated that Park is suffering from “severe psychological stress and mental shock” due to the betrayal and media pressure. Regarding the “Jusa-imo” issue, they admitted her presence but insisted she is a licensed doctor and denied any illegal drug administration. The agency has already countersued Park Na-rae’s ex-managers for extortion and defamation.

3. Jo Se-ho: Mafia Rumors and “Zero Tolerance”

Finally, the newlywed Jo Se-ho has been wrapped up in a plot worthy of a gangster movie.

The Photo of Discord

An anonymous user on social media posted a photo of Jo Se-ho embracing a man accused of operating illegal gambling sites and being a key figure in regional organized crime. The accuser alleged that Jo Se-ho promoted this man’s businesses and received luxury gifts and money in exchange.

The social media accounts of his show You Quiz on the Block were flooded with messages demanding his resignation, forcing Jo Se-ho to disable comments on his personal account.

Firm Response from A2Z Entertainment

His agency was quick to respond this Thursday, calling the rumors “completely false.”

They clarified that the man in the photo is simply an “acquaintance,” denying any deep or business ties.
They flatly denied receiving money or gifts.
They announced both civil and criminal legal action for defamation and obstruction of business against the user who started the rumor.

Conclusion: An Industry in “Crisis Mode”

These three simultaneous cases have put TV networks on high alert. While Cho Jin-woong’s case seems to have a definitive end with his retirement due to the severity of the confirmed facts, Park Na-rae and Jo Se-ho will fight in court to clear their names.

For international fans, this raises difficult questions about celebrity culture in Korea: When is the line crossed between social justice and a witch hunt?

🧐 FAQs: Understanding the Scandals of Cho Jin-woong, Park Na-rae, and Jo Se-ho

So you don’t get lost in the sea of information, here we answer the most frequently asked questions about these cases.

1. What exactly is the “Juvenile Act” that experts defend in the Cho Jin-woong case? It is a law in South Korea designed to rehabilitate youths with “antisocial tendencies” rather than just punishing them. Article 68 specifically prohibits publishing names or data that allow identifying someone involved in juvenile crimes. Experts argue that by exposing Cho Jin-woong as an adult for crimes already paid for in his youth, the media violated the spirit of this law, which seeks to allow a second chance.

2. Will “Signal 2” be definitely canceled? It is not official yet, but the outlook is very grim. tvN and CJ ENM confirmed they are in “internal discussions.” The problem is that the series is about police officers seeking justice and truth; having a protagonist with a serious criminal record (robbery and assault) destroys the show’s moral credibility. Although it is already filmed, they could choose not to air it or try to edit it (which would be almost impossible given that Cho Jin-woong is one of the main leads).

3. What does it mean that Park Na-rae’s agency was not registered? In Korea, any company managing artists must register under the “Pop Culture and Arts Industry Development Act.” The ex-managers accused her of operating illegally. Her agency, Npark, admitted the error but blamed one of the suing ex-managers, claiming it was his administrative responsibility to complete that registration and that he lied saying it was already done. On the other hand, they assured the process is now underway.

4. Who is the “Jusa-imo” in the Park Na-rae case? “Jusa-imo” (Injection Auntie) is a colloquial term referring to people who administer injections (vitamins, botox, propofol, etc.) at home or privately, sometimes without a license. The accusation is serious because it implies illegal medical procedures. Park Na-rae’s agency says the woman who traveled with them to Taiwan IS a licensed doctor, trying to debunk the illegality.

5. Why does the Jo Se-ho case affect “You Quiz on the Block”? Because in Korea, variety show hosts, which are generally made for a family audience, must have a “clean” and “trustworthy” image. You Quiz is a very prestigious talk show (where even the President and global stars have appeared). Having a co-host linked to mafia and illegal gambling rumors stains the show’s reputation, which is why fans pressure for him to leave until everything is cleared up.

6. What is the “extortion” Park Na-rae alleges? Her agency claims the ex-managers used confidential information and threats of defamation to ask for money they were not entitled to. Specifically, they asked for 10% of the company’s annual revenue, an exorbitant figure that is not part of any normal severance pay.

7. Did Cho Jin-woong admit to sexual assault? No. His agency was very specific: they admitted he committed mistakes and crimes as a minor (which includes robbery and the stay in the detention center), but explicitly denied the sexual assault part. However, by retiring so quickly, many interpret that he does not want to or cannot fight publicly against those accusations.

8. Is it common to “erase” actors from aired documentaries? Yes, in Korea, it is standard practice. When a celebrity falls from grace (drugs, crimes, DUI), TV networks (KBS, SBS, MBC) have a policy of “erasing” them so as not to offend the audience. In the case of Cho Jin-woong, SBS is re-editing the documentary “War on Crime” to remove his voice, and KBS has already taken down YouTube videos where he appeared.