Will tvN Stand by Cho Jin-woong Amid Boyhood Offender Controversy? tvN Responds to Signal 2 Airing Rumors

[Financial News] tvN has denied reports that the November broadcast of Second Signal, the drama that was indefinitely postponed following actor Cho Jin-woong's private-life controversy, had been scheduled. A tvN official said on the 30th and again on the 1st, "Nothing has been finalized regarding the schedule."
Second Signal is a sequel to the well-made 2016 genre drama Signal and had drawn strong anticipation as writer Kim Eun-hee and the three leads, Cho Jin-woong, Kim Hye-soo, and Lee Je-hoon, reunited. It was originally planned for a summer 2026 release in June to mark tvN's 20th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the original series. Filming had already been completed in August last year. However, the project was thrown into turmoil in December last year when Cho Jin-woong's past as a juvenile offender came to light, and the broadcast was postponed indefinitely.
After the incident, the production team reportedly considered various replacement options using artificial intelligence (AI) and computer graphics (CG), even if it meant absorbing huge additional production costs. However, they ultimately abandoned the AI replacement plan, fearing that the mismatch with the existing footage would significantly undermine the quality of the work.
In this regard, MyDaily reported that Second Signal was expected to air as an eight-episode series from November 30 to December 22 without editing out Cho Jin-woong's scenes.
Cho Jin-woong's criminal history, after he played the righteous detective Lee Jae-han in the drama, shocked the public deeply. As the controversy intensified, Cho Jin-woong bowed his head through his agency on December 6 last year, saying, "I am sorry for disappointing everyone who trusted and supported me." He added, "I will humbly accept all criticism, stop all activities as of today, and bring my acting career to an end," effectively announcing his retirement.
Even though tvN drew a line under the rumors of a confirmed schedule, public reaction to the resurfaced November airing speculation remains sharply divided.
Many online users responded critically, saying, "He is playing a righteous police officer, but I can't immerse myself in it at all," and "Is this a decision that ignores the victim entirely?"
Others defended the move, saying, "It's understandable, given the massive production costs already invested," and "The actor's personal issue and the work itself should be viewed separately."
tvN maintained its previous stance, saying, "Second Signal is a project created by countless staff members, actors, and related parties from planning through production," and "We will make every effort to find the best possible solution for viewers, even if it takes some time, in order to preserve the value of Signal."
moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter