Jo Byung Kyu, the actor known for his breakout role in The Uncanny Counter, is still embroiled in a lawsuit against an individual who accused him of school bullying. The case remains unresolved as the accuser, residing in New Zealand, refuses to cooperate with South Korean police for questioning.
The actor reportedly considered filing a lawsuit in New Zealand, even if it meant incurring costs of around 1.2 billion KRW or 940,000 USD. However, due to the lengthy process and lack of guarantee that the lawsuit would prove his innocence in South Korea, he decided against it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixQmeFe62VU&pp=ygUhSm8gQnl1bmcgS3l1IGJ1bGx5aW5nIGFsbGVnYXRpb25z
Jo Byung Kyu has faced school violence allegations four times, one in 2018 and three times in 2021. The first accuser, who claimed to have attended the same school he did in New Zealand, accused him of verbal abuse. This accuser later deleted their post. In 2021, two others accused him of school violence, but one admitted their claim was fake.
Despite these allegations, Jo Byung Kyu maintains that he’s innocent. He expressed his frustration on social media once. “Why did I become a target every time there was a school violence accusation and have to explain myself over and over again?” he wrote.
Jo Byung Kyu returns as So Mun
Amidst these controversies, Jo Byung Kyu is making a comeback through The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch. On July 21, the show’s cast held a press conference before its premiere. Jo Byung Kyu took this opportunity to address the allegations again.
“I’m careful in addressing this issue, but I’d like to say that I put in effort for vindication, that it’s not true. I’m still continuing my efforts now. It has taken much time, as it involves an individual who is overseas, and so I’m now returning with a new project before a conclusion has been reached,” the actor stated.
“I also believe that I approached the filming of this project with that much desperate resolve and gave my best efforts. Please pay attention to The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch,” he added.
The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch will premiere on July 29 at 9:20 PM KST. — K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The actor looked dapper at the press conference. Source: Naver/Kairos’ Naver photo blog.