Comedian Cho Sae Ho has denied recent allegations linking him to organized crime but has decided to voluntarily step down from several of his television programs amid the controversy.
Last week, rumors began circulating that Cho Sae Ho was personally acquainted with a gang member referred to as “Mr. Choi” and may have been financially involved with him. Following the reports, the entertainer’s agency firmly denied the claims, stating that Cho Sae Ho had no involvement in any of Mr. Choi’s alleged activities.
On the morning of December 9, Cho Sae Ho’s agency A2Z Entertainment released a new statement announcing that the comedian had chosen to voluntarily step down from KBS 2TV’s “2 Days & 1 Night” and tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block.” According to the agency, the decision was made after careful consideration of the situation and the public attention surrounding it.
The agency explained that Cho Sae Ho feels a strong sense of responsibility regarding the misunderstandings and controversy that have emerged in connection with him. They reiterated that the allegation claiming he received money or valuables from Mr. Choi in exchange for promoting a business is entirely false.
Following the agency’s announcement, Cho Sae Ho also addressed the issue personally through a post on his Instagram account. In the message, he apologized for disappointing fans and reflected on the circumstances that led to the controversy.
Hello, this is Cho Sae Ho.
First, I sincerely apologize for disappointing many people with the recent matter.
Thinking about how deeply this must have let down those who have liked and supported me for such a long time, I struggled with what I should say.
I worried that a long, detailed explanation might only cause more discomfort, but I felt it was my duty to the love you’ve shown me to convey my thoughts and position directly.Because I’ve long traveled to various local events, I met various people I hadn’t known before.
As someone who stands before the public, I should have been more careful in my relationships with those around me, but with a younger mind than I have now, I don’t think I handled all of those connections with maturity. I am deeply reflecting.That said, I want to state that the suspicions raised in connection with those acquaintances are entirely untrue.
Of course, I fully understand that the way I appeared in the photos alone caused disappointment.
I should be giving viewers laughter and comfort, yet instead I made you feel discomfort and let you down. Once again, I deeply reflect and apologize.Going through this, I have looked inward to consider whether I am placing a burden on the programs I’m part of.
“You Quiz on the Block” is a program where the most important thing is to listen attentively to guests’ stories and empathize with them.
In my current state, I judged that I cannot fully carry out that role.
And because “2 Days & 1 Night” is also an important variety show on the public broadcasting station KBS, I worried I might place an unnecessary burden on the program and the team. After much deliberation, I conveyed to the production teams my intention to step down from both programs.I feel nothing but remorse toward the members, the staff, and viewers who believed in me and worked with me.
I got married last year and started a family, and I have been trying to become a better person, but through this incident I keenly feel how much I still fall short.
Even so, for the sake of the family I am responsible for, I plan to correct what is untrue through the necessary procedures.Going forward, I will manage my surroundings and my actions even more thoroughly so that I do not cause the same disappointment again.
I will take this as an opportunity for deep reflection and work to greet you again with greater maturity.I will become a better person.
Once again, I offer my deepest apologies.Sincerely,
Cho Sae Ho
In response to the announcement, the production team of “2 Days & 1 Night” confirmed that they would respect the decision reached by Cho Sae Ho and his agency after careful deliberation.
Meanwhile, the production team of “You Quiz on the Block” has not yet released an official statement regarding his departure. The team behind the Netflix variety show “Screwballs,” which also features Cho Sae Ho, commented that previously filmed footage will be broadcast as planned, while discussions regarding his future participation in the program are currently ongoing internally.
- What allegations were made against Cho Sae Ho?
Cho Sae Ho was alleged to be personally acquainted with a gang member and possibly financially involved with him.
- How did Cho Sae Ho's agency respond to the allegations?
Cho Sae Ho's agency, A2Z Entertainment, denied the allegations and stated that he had no involvement in any of the alleged activities.
- What decision did Cho Sae Ho make regarding his television programs?
Cho Sae Ho voluntarily stepped down from KBS 2TVu2019s '2 Days & 1 Night' and tvNu2019s 'You Quiz on the Block.'
- What reasons did Cho Sae Ho give for stepping down from the shows?
He expressed a sense of responsibility regarding the controversy and felt he could not fully carry out his role on the programs.
- How did Cho Sae Ho address his fans regarding the situation?
He apologized for disappointing fans and reflected on his relationships and the circumstances that led to the controversy.
- What is the current status of Cho Sae Ho's participation in other shows?
The production team of 'Screwballs' confirmed that previously filmed footage will air as planned, while discussions about his future participation are ongoing.
