Actor Choi Jin-woong has become the center of an escalating controversy after a series of reports alleged that he had a serious juvenile criminal record, including receiving juvenile protective disposition and spending time in a juvenile detention facility during his high school years.
Allegations of a Hidden Juvenile Past
According to reports first published by Dispatch, Choi Jin-woong whose legal name is Cho Won-jun was allegedly involved with a delinquent group during his teenage years. Informants claimed he participated in car theft, drove stolen vehicles without a license, and was later caught for possessing stolen property. Additional allegations suggested involvement in a sexual assault case, with Jo reportedly facing charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes during his second year of high school.
The reports also claim that Choi Jin-woong received juvenile protective disposition and spent part of his senior high school year in a juvenile facility. These claims are based on testimony from informants rather than publicly disclosed court documents.
Name Change and Image Reconstruction?
Multiple reports highlighted that Choi Jin-woong began using the stage name “ChoiCho Jin-woong,” said to be his father’s name, instead of his birth name. While Cho Jin-woong has previously explained in interviews that this was a decision made to mark a turning point in his acting career, informants quoted in the report speculate that the name change was intended to distance himself from his past.
ChoiCho Jin-woong later debuted in the 2004 Once Upon a Time in High School and built a celebrated career through Signal, The Handmaiden, Believer, A Hard Day, and other acclaimed works often playing police officers or justice-driven characters.
Additional Allegations from Early Adulthood
Informants further claimed that Cho Jin-woong had several encounters with police in his early career. The allegations include:
- A fine for assaulting a fellow theater troupe member during a drinking incident
- A drunk driving incident that reportedly led to license revocation after the filming of Once Upon a Time in High School
None of these claims have been officially confirmed.
Public Reaction: A Growing Divide
The online response has been explosive. Critics argue:
- How can someone accused of such crimes portray law enforcement roles?
- If true, the public deserves to know.
Others caution against premature judgment:
- Anonymous claims are not proof.
- We need verifiable documents, not rumors.
The allegations resurfaced in part due to Cho Jin-woong’s high-profile appearance at the 80th Liberation Day Ceremony, where he delivered the national pledge an event that prompted past acquaintances to step forward with claims.
Agency: “We Are Reviewing the Facts”
On December 5, Choi Jin-woong’s agency People Entertainment told multiple outlets: “We are currently reviewing the details reported. We will release an official statement after confirming the facts.”
No further clarification has yet been provided.
Despite the controversy, Choi Jin-woong is scheduled to appear in the upcoming drama Second Signal, raising questions about potential delays depending on the outcome of the ongoing fact-checking process.
Sources: SPOTV News,iMBC,Dispatch
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