"I Was Also Hit by Cho Jin-woong"... After Top Star Testimonies, Film Director Reveals Assault Experience

[Financial News] Actor Cho Jin-woong (49) has retired following revelations about his past record as a juvenile offender, and new allegations of assault against directors and fellow actors have continued to emerge.
On the 8th, Dispatch reported that about a decade ago, Cho Jin-woong threw ice and verbally abused rookie Actor A during a drinking gathering. This incident occurred after a film shoot had wrapped up. At a karaoke bar during the second round of the gathering, Cho Jin-woong asked Actor A to sing a particular song. When Actor A replied, "I don't know that song. I'm sorry," Cho responded.
Cho Jin-woong then threw ice from an ice bucket at Actor A's face and charged at him, saying, "You're ignoring a senior's request to sing."
Fortunately, the director, actors, and staff intervened and the incident was defused. However, Actor A told the media that the shock, emotional trauma, and humiliation from the event still linger.

In addition, Actors B and C, as well as Managers D and E, also claimed, "We were slapped and kicked by Cho Jin-woong during drinking parties." Manager F pointed out, "The problem isn't just in the past, it continues even now."
Furthermore, film director Heo Cheol, who directed 'Like Me, Like You,' 'The Return,' and 'Yeonghwap'an,' also revealed on his Social Networking Service (SNS) account on the 7th, "For the first time as an adult, I was hit," and described in detail an incident in 2014 when he was assaulted by Cho Jin-woong.
Director Heo claimed that after a ceremony wishing for the film's success, while traveling by car, Cho Jin-woong punched him in the face without warning. He said, "Actor Cho, who was sitting next to me, suddenly hit me for no reason. When people tried to stop him, he suddenly started crying." He continued, "I was bewildered. What was this? How could something so absurd happen? I had met this actor for the first time that day and couldn't understand it at all."
Heo Cheol recalled, "I asked for an apology through his manager, but he never apologized. Only the innocent manager knelt before me, not knowing what to do."
He added, "That night, I heard he poured ice on and hit another male actor, who has since become famous. Even after several days, Cho Jin-woong claimed he 'couldn't remember' and never apologized."
Heo Cheol said, "After that, whenever I saw his face on screen, I would turn it off. The memory kept coming back and I was filled with anger, which became a trauma. Even when I confided in people in the film industry, they would just laugh it off and say, 'Why did that happen?' So I just kept it to myself."
However, after hearing about the recent 'juvenile offender controversy,' he said he has forgiven Cho Jin-woong. "I saw the news today and learned about his past. It's strange. For the first time, I felt a sense of forgiveness, thinking, 'So that's what happened.'"
He added, "I hope he can return to acting someday. If we ever meet again, let's have a drink together, and let me give him a slap on the cheek to settle things coolly."
After the post spread online and attracted attention, Heo Cheol deleted it.
In response, Saram Entertainment, Cho Jin-woong's agency, stated, "He is already retired," and added, "As the actor has already announced his retirement, we ask for your understanding that it is difficult to provide an official statement regarding this matter."

moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter