The classic Korean drama "Signal" is largely adapted from real unsolved cases in South Korea. Since its broadcast in 2016, it has received widespread acclaim and is still considered by many to be a pinnacle of Korean dramas. In August of this year, "Signal 2" officially wrapped up filming, originally scheduled to air in early 2026. However, just before its premiere, one of the lead actors, Cho Jin-woong, was exposed by South Korea's top paparazzi media outlet, Dispatch, for his involvement in multiple serious crimes in the past, even being brought to criminal trial at one point. The news shocked the Korean entertainment industry.
Dispatch reported on Friday (December 5) that Cho Jin-woong's real name is "Cho Won-jun," and his stage name "Cho Jin-woong" is taken from his father's name. His annual birthday celebration on March 3rd (lunar calendar) does not match his actual birth date. Although he emphasizes that he is a native of Busan, he actually attended high school in Seoul.
Even more shockingly, multiple insiders revealed that Zhao Zhenxiong was involved in serious criminal cases during his youth. He was not only a school bully, but also stole cars with his accomplices, drove without a license, and attempted to sexually assault someone in a car. He was prosecuted by the court for "robbery and rape" under the Special Law and sent to a juvenile detention center. He spent half of his senior year of high school in a correctional institution.
Sources indicate that Cho Jin-woong enrolled in the Department of Theater and Film at Busan Kyung Sung University in 1996 to clear his name and rebuild his image. After debuting in 2004 with the film "Once Upon a Time in High School," he abandoned his real name, claiming he "wanted to give himself a turning point." However, the source questioned, "After what he did, how could he debut under his original name?"
Early in his acting career, Cho Jin-woong had several dealings with the police. In 2003, he was fined for assaulting a member of his theater troupe while intoxicated, and he also had a drunk driving record, during which his driver's license was temporarily suspended.
The most controversial aspect is that Cho Jin-woong has cultivated an image of "symbol of justice" in recent years. He has recited oaths at retrocession ceremonies, narrated patriotic documentaries, and played a police officer upholding justice for victims in the film *Signal*. Many victims have strongly criticized this, stating, "Cho Jin-woong bullied the weak, and now he's being portrayed as a hero protecting justice?"
In response to the allegations, Saram Entertainment, the agency representing Cho Jin-woong, stated, "After confirming with Cho Jin-woong himself, it is true that he engaged in inappropriate behavior during his minor years."
However, the statement emphasized that "the information currently available is only a portion of the confirmed facts. Since more than 30 years have passed since the incident, it is difficult to fully reconstruct what happened at the time, and the relevant legal procedures have long been closed, so there are certain limitations. But it can be clearly stated that this incident is unrelated to sexual assault."
The company further stated, "Cho Jin-woong faces the situation with a very heavy heart and deeply reflects on the concerns he has caused the outside world due to his poor judgment after becoming an adult. He sincerely apologizes to everyone who has been hurt and affected by his past mistakes, and also feels very sorry to his fans who have supported him for a long time."
｜Extended reading｜The murder case that inspired the Korean drama "Signal" has been solved; the suspect had already died in 2015.
