As actor Cho Jin Woong officially announces his retirement amid controversy over his juvenile criminal past, serious doubts have emerged over the future of the highly anticipated drama Signal 2 . The upcoming sequel to the 2016 hit Signal had already completed filming and was slated to air next year on tvN.
The revelations, which surfaced on December 5, claim that Cho had committed serious crimes in his youth and was even involved in problematic incidents as an adult. Shockwaves rippled across the entertainment industry and among fans, not just because of his past but because Cho had participated in national events as a representative of Korea while keeping his juvenile record hidden.
Cho’s agency, Saram Entertainment , confirmed that he had committed “wrongdoings as a minor,” but emphasized that the actor had no connection to allegations of sexual assault , which had been circulating. They stated that the matter, dating back over 30 years, had already been legally resolved, and a full account of events was no longer possible due to time and limitations.
Only a day after acknowledging the past, Cho Jin Woong issued a personal apology on December 6 and declared his retirement :
“I sincerely apologize for disappointing everyone who supported me. I accept all criticism and, as of today, will end my acting career and suspend all activities.”
This retirement leaves the fate of Signal 2 , also known as The Second Signal , hanging in the balance. The drama was set to reunite Cho Jin Woong with co-stars Kim Hye Soo and Lee Je Hoon , following the original’s cult success in 2016. The project had been in high demand for years, with fans eager to revisit the time-crossing detective storyline.
In a past appearance on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block , screenwriter Kim Eun Hee openly expressed how integral Cho Jin Woong was to the role of Detective Lee Jae Han:
“I wrote Lee Jae Han with Cho Jin Woong in mind.”
Her comment is now being widely reshared online, adding emotional weight to the uncertainty surrounding the sequel.
Cho Jin Woong himself had also acknowledged the bond, saying in a recent interview:
“Writer Kim told me it would feel strange without Cho Jin Woong, and I agreed. Signal is a project that left a lot in my heart. I felt I had to be part of Season 2—before I grow too old or weak.”
Now, with Cho Jin Woong stepping away from the industry, producers, cast, and fans alike face an unexpected dilemma: How do you continue a series whose very heart, according to its creators, was Cho himself?
As Signal 2 waits for an official update on its release, all eyes are on tvN and the creative team to see whether the series will proceed, be rewritten, or shelved indefinitely in light of the actor’s departure.
Sources: 뉴스엔,tvN