<\/p>\n
SEOUL \u2013 South Korea\u2019s entertainment industry is ending 2025 in turmoil as a rapid succession of revelations and allegations engulf some of its biggest stars.<\/p>\n
Actor Cho Jin-woong\u2019s abrupt retirement, comedienne Park Na-rae\u2019s escalating legal battle with her former managers and comedian Jo Se-ho\u2019s alleged ties to organised crime have left TV networks scrambling and the industry on edge.<\/p>\n
Cho\u2019s controversy erupted on Dec 5 when a South Korean media outlet reported that the 49-year-old had been sent to juvenile detention in high school on charges including robbery and sexual assault under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. <\/p>\n
His past incidents in adulthood also resurfaced in the report, including an assault on a fellow theatre troupe member in 2003 and a drink-driving case that resulted in his licence suspension.<\/p>\n
His agency, Saram Entertainment, acknowledged \u201cwrongdoing committed as a minor\u201d, but denied any involvement in sexual assault.<\/p>\n
A day after the report, Cho announced his immediate retirement. \u201cI accept all criticism and will halt all activities as of today,\u201d he said. \u201cI intend to bring my acting career to a close.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Korea\u2019s broadcast outlets moved swiftly. SBS removed his voice narration from its four-part documentary series, War On Crime, beginning with the broadcast on Dec 7. The national broadcaster said it had already re-recorded the narration and was updating the first episode, which aired on Nov 30. <\/p>\n
A KBS YouTube documentary video featuring Cho was taken down. Cable network tvN is deliberating on whether to air Signal 2, the highly anticipated sequel to TV series Signal (2016), starring Cho, which is slated for release in 2026. <\/p>\n
Park, 40, is confronting a barrage of allegations from two former managers, who have accused her of assault with a cup, workplace harassment, proxy prescriptions and embezzlement.<\/p>\n
The former managers filed for provisional seizure of her real estate on Dec 3, then submitted criminal complaints \u2013 including assault, defamation and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act \u2013 on Dec 5. <\/p>\n
They also accused Park of using funds from her one-person agency for personal expenses and filed an additional complaint for aggravated embezzlement. The dispute deepened when it emerged that Park\u2019s agency had failed to complete the mandatory registration as a pop culture and arts management business.<\/p>\n
Park\u2019s side strongly denied the allegations. Her agency said the former managers had already received severance pay and demanded an extra sum equivalent to 10 per cent of the previous year\u2019s revenue, with the requested amount \u201csteadily increasing into the billions of won\u201d.<\/p>\n
The agency said the two were responsible for administrative tasks \u2013 including the unregistered business status \u2013 and it has countersued them for extortion.<\/p>\n
The escalation continued when allegations emerged that Park received injections from a so-called \u201cju-sa imo\u201d, reportedly an unlicensed medical provider, who also accompanied her on a shoot for MBC\u2019s reality show I Live Alone (2013 to present) in Taiwan. Park\u2019s agency acknowledged the individual\u2019s presence, but insisted the person is a \u201clicensed doctor\u201d, denying any illegal drug administration. <\/p>\n
Park announced on social media on Dec 8 that she has decided to suspend all her broadcasting activities\u00a0\u201cuntil everything is clearly resolved\u201d. MBC said shortly after her statement that she has been dropped from I Live Alone.<\/p>\n