Jo Jin Woong Admits Juvenile Crimes, Throwing tvN’s ‘Signal 2’ Into Broadcast Turmoil

Jo Jin Woong has admitted to committing serious crimes as a juvenile and announced his retirement, throwing tvN’s fully filmed 20th-anniversary drama ‘Signal 2’ into uncertainty and sparking nationwide debate on whether former juvenile offenders should become public figures.

Korean news outlets reported that Jo Jin Woong had been sent to juvenile detention for car theft and violent crime during high school, with additional accounts of assault and DUI incidents as an adult. His agency acknowledged “wrongful acts as a minor” while denying involvement in sexual assault. As the backlash grew, Jo announced his retirement, but broadcasters continued distancing themselves. KBS set his documentary to private, and SBS replaced his narration with a new voiceover, signaling a clear industry-wide separation.

The controversy puts its greatest pressure on ‘Signal 2’, fully filmed and scheduled for 2026. As tvN’s 20th-anniversary flagship series, the project reunited writer Kim Eun-hee with original stars Kim Hye-soo, Lee Je-hoon, and Jo Jin-woong. Jo’s character, Lee Jae-han, forms the emotional and narrative core of the story, making replacement nearly impossible. With filming complete and post-production underway, industry voices agree that neither editing nor reshooting is feasible given scheduling, budget, and story structure.

• Jo Jin Woong admitted misconduct as a minor and retired, yet the controversy continues.
• KBS and SBS quickly removed or replaced programs featuring him, signaling an industry-wide cut-off.
• With ‘Signal 2’ fully filmed and Jo as the central lead, media report that editing or reshooting is extremely unlikely.

## 【KStarLoud Insight】 The scandal shakes Korea not only because of Jo’s past but because the ‘Signal’ franchise embodies justice and responsibility. Broadcasters’ swift reactions show rising expectations for public figures. Fans now fear the decade-awaited sequel may be reshaped or delayed. How tvN balances legal, ethical and commercial realities will be a defining indicator for the industry.