韓國演員趙震雄（本名趙元俊）近日因被曝出高中時期曾涉及性侵、盜竊並最終被送往少年院的過往，引發韓國娛樂圈與社會輿論的強烈震動。這起風波起於韓國媒體《Dispatch》的揭露，內容指出趙震雄在未成年時曾犯下多項暴力與性相關罪行，而這些黑歷史過去從未被他提及，即使他近年以成熟穩重、演技深厚的中年演員形象受到大眾喜愛。

消息曝光後，趙震雄的所屬公司第一時間證實他在未成年時確實曾做出「錯誤行為」，但強調事件已經過超過三十年，許多細節難以追查，也表示與媒體中提及的「性暴力」部分並不完全一致。公司同時表示，趙震雄對於年少時的偏差行為始終心懷愧疚，但這些早已經過法律程序，並非如今才曝光的新罪狀。

然而，爭議並未因此平息。除未成年時的犯罪行為，外界也提及趙震雄成年後仍有不當行為紀錄，包括酒後駕駛、殴打劇團成員等事件。公司對此坦承確實有讓人失望的判斷失誤，表示演員本人已深刻反省並向大眾致歉。

值得注意的是，趙震雄自出道以來一直以父親名字「趙震雄」作為藝名活動。對於外界質疑他是否試圖藉此掩蓋過往，公司解釋這是演員希望鞭策自己成為更好的人，而非刻意隱藏陳年事件。然而，韓媒評論指出，趙震雄涉案內容過於沉重，遠非所謂的「年少輕狂」可以輕描淡寫。他多年來未曾主動面對這些過去，更在作品中多次飾演歷史人物與正義形象，這種反差引發公眾進一步的不信任與背叛感。

這場風波最直接受到衝擊的，是原定即將播出的《信號2》。作為十年後回歸、萬眾期待的續作，《信號2》已於今年八月拍攝完成，金惠秀、李帝勳與趙震雄三位主演全數回歸。劇中趙震雄飾演的重要角色「李材漢刑警」是一名正義不屈、追查真相的象徵性人物。然而，如今現實與角色形象完全對立，使作品陷入進退兩難的局面。

由於拍攝已完結，若要重拍幾乎不可能；但若照常播出，勢必會遭到觀眾強烈抵制。這使得《信號2》陷入開播前最嚴峻的危機。最終，在輿論持續壓力下，趙震雄本人於12月6日宣布正式退出演藝圈，表示往後會深刻反省，努力成為「正直的人」。

整起事件不僅動搖演員的形象，也讓韓國娛樂圈再次掀起對藝人道德、過往犯罪與公眾信任度的討論，而《信號2》的命運，也成為事件後續最大的焦點之一。

South Korean actor Cho Jin-woong (real name Cho Won-joon) has become the center of a major scandal after revelations surfaced about serious crimes he committed during his high-school years. According to a report by the media outlet Dispatch, Cho was involved in sexual assault, theft, and other violent acts as a minor, which eventually led to his transfer to a juvenile detention facility. These long-buried incidents, which he had never publicly addressed, shocked the public—especially given his long-established reputation as a mature, reliable, and highly respected actor.

Following the report, Cho’s agency confirmed that he had indeed committed “wrongful acts” during his youth. However, the company emphasized that the events took place more than 30 years ago, making it difficult to verify all details, and insisted that certain allegations—especially those involving sexual violence—did not fully align with the facts they had confirmed. The agency added that Cho had long felt remorse for his past misconduct, and that all related legal procedures had already concluded decades earlier.

Despite this clarification, public outrage did not subside. Beyond his juvenile offenses, Cho was also criticized for problematic behavior during adulthood, including an alleged physical assault on a theater troupe member and an incident involving drunk driving. His agency acknowledged that he had indeed made “troubling judgments” as an adult, causing concern and disappointment, and stated that Cho feels deeply regretful and apologizes to the public.

Another focal point of discussion was his choice of stage name. Cho has always worked under the name “Cho Jin-woong,” which is actually his father’s name. The agency explained that this was not an attempt to conceal his past but rather a way for him to push himself toward becoming a better person. However, Korean media outlets argued that the crimes in question were far too serious to be brushed aside as “youthful mistakes.” For decades, Cho never addressed these actions openly, and his roles as righteous historical and moral figures only amplified the sense of betrayal felt by the public.

The scandal most severely affects the highly anticipated series Signal 2. As the long-awaited sequel returning after a ten-year hiatus, the drama had completed filming in August, with Kim Hye-soo, Lee Je-hoon, and Cho Jin-woong all reprising their original roles. Cho plays the crucial character Detective Lee Jae-han, known for his unwavering integrity and relentless pursuit of truth. However, the stark contrast between the character’s moral image and the actor’s newly revealed past has placed the entire project in jeopardy.

Since filming is already finished, reshooting would be nearly impossible. Yet airing the drama as-is risks triggering widespread backlash from viewers. This dilemma has pushed Signal 2 into the most severe crisis since its production began. Under mounting public pressure, Cho Jin-woong announced on December 6 that he would be leaving the entertainment industry entirely, stating that he would spend the future in deep reflection and strive to become “a righteous person.”

The controversy has not only shattered the actor’s image but also reignited broader discussions in South Korea about celebrities’ moral standards, accountability for past crimes, and the trust between public figures and their audiences. Meanwhile, the fate of Signal 2 remains one of the most heavily watched questions in the scandal’s aftermath.