Comedian Jo Se-ho will be stepping down from tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block’ and KBS 2TV’s ‘2 Days & 1 Night’. On December 9, Jo Se-ho’s agency announced, “Jo Se-ho will be leaving tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block’ and KBS 2TV’s ‘2 Days & 1 Night’.”
They further stated, “Jo Se-ho feels a deep sense of responsibility for the misunderstandings and rumors that have been recently raised against him. He is fully aware of the discomfort felt by viewers who love these programs and doesn’t want the production team, who dedicate so much effort to these shows, to be burdened by the gaze directed at him. Therefore, after discussions with the production team, he has decided to voluntarily step down.”
Additionally, the agency mentioned, “Jo Se-ho and the agency will respond more strictly to this matter. We plan to proceed promptly and firmly with legal actions to clear up misunderstandings surrounding Jo Se-ho and recover his tarnished image. We promise to dispel all the suspicions and return in a healthy state.”
Furthermore, the agency clarified, “As previously stated in the official position, Jo Se-ho is entirely unrelated to Mr. Choi’s business concerning the allegations. The claim that he accepted expensive gifts from Mr. Choi for business promotion is definitely not true.”
Finally, Jo Se-ho and his agency expressed gratitude for the concerns and solace offered by many and stated that the critical feedback received will be a chance for self-reflection. They promised to strive to provide healthier laughter and asked for continued support for Jo Se-ho’s future endeavors.
Recently, Jo Se-ho was embroiled in rumors of ties with Mr. Choi, the boss of the country’s largest illegal money laundering network. An individual referred to as A claimed that Jo Se-ho was close friends with Mr. Choi and had received luxurious gifts from him. A photo showing A and Jo Se-ho in a friendly pose was also released, causing a stir.
However, on December 5, Jo Se-ho’s agency refuted, stating, “A, via their social media, has mentioned the friendship between Mr. Choi and Jo Se-ho, suggesting Jo Se-ho is directly or indirectly involved in Mr. Choi’s activities. However, this is merely A’s speculation and not true.” They also announced that they are considering strong legal action against A for defamation and obstruction of business.