Actor Cho Jin-woong’s Retirement Sparks Re-Examination of Past Statements,Draws Comparisons to Political Controversy
Amidst admissions of past legal issues and a subsequent announcement of his retirement,the past statements of South Korean actor Cho Jin-woong are facing renewed scrutiny,with some observers drawing parallels to a recent political scandal. Online communities are alight with discussion, with manny revisiting comments made by the actor criticizing crime and injustice in his work and interviews, now framing them through the lens of his own admitted transgressions.
The controversy has ignited a wave of online commentary, with some users dubbing the resurfaced quotes “Joman Tripitaka Koreana Season 2”-a reference to a satirical comparison made between past social media posts by a political figure and the Tripitaka Koreana, a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures-a pointed commentary on perceived hypocrisy.
On Thursday, screenshots from the drama “No Way Out: The Roulette,” featuring Cho in the role of a detective, began circulating widely on social networking services. In a particularly pointed scene, when a character played by Yoo Jae-myeong states, “I served my entire sentence,” Cho’s character responds, “Hey, does that mean all your sins are forgiven?”-a line now widely interpreted as ironic, given the current circumstances.
Netizens are actively translating and re-contextualizing Cho’s past remarks, using titles like “Jo Jeok-jo” – a play on words referencing a previous political controversy – and continuing the “Joman Tripitaka Koreana” theme. Previously, Cho had voiced strong opinions on social media, criticizing conservative politicians with statements such as, “If you knew, you’re an accomplice, and if you didn’t know, you’re incompetent,” and “Don’t mistake this guy for apologizing when a fly is rubbing his front paws.” These comments, once directed outward, are now being turned inward, fueling the sarcastic use of the “Joman Tripitaka Koreana” label.
“The Tripitaka Koreana is a world cultural heritage. It contains everything,” noted Jin Joong-kwon, a professor at Dongyang University-underscoring the thorough nature of the actor’s past public statements.
Further fueling the discussion, a clip from a 2015 video released by the Korean National Police Agency, promoting the drama “Signal,” has resurfaced. In the video, Cho, playing an honest detective investigating difficult cases like the Inje high school girl sexual assault case, states, “We need your warm interest so that the victims do not shed any more tears.”-a statement now being viewed with a critical eye, given the allegations against him.
In “Signal,” Cho’s character confronts the issue of privilege and corruption, questioning whether wealth and power allow individuals to evade consequences.He asks a colleague,”It’s the same there. If you have money and a lot of resources,you can eat well and live well no matter what kind of stupid things you do. Still, 20 years have passed, so something would have changed.”-a line that resonates powerfully in light of the current scrutiny.
Just last August, in an interview with JTBC Newsroom ahead of the release of “Independence Army: The Unfinished War,” Cho defended his right to express his political beliefs. When asked if he felt burdened by doing so, he responded, “Why should I feel burdened about saying that something is wrong? Shouldn’t such a society be created? I am a citizen of the Republic of Korea who can say that it is indeed wrong as it is wrong. Why should I feel burdened about that?”
Cho’s retirement follows reports of a history of juvenile offenses, an adult assault conviction, and a prior drunk driving incident. The unfolding situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of public image and the enduring power of past statements in the face of personal scandal.
