Actor Jo Byung-kyu, once celebrated for his breakout performances in The Uncanny Counter and Sky Castle, has lost his high-profile lawsuit against the individual who accused him of school violence. The court ruled there was not enough evidence to prove the allegations were false a decision that reignites one of K-drama’s most controversial scandals.
According to reports on November 1, the Seoul Central District Court (37th Civil Division) dismissed Jo Byung-kyu and HB Entertainment’s claim for 4 billion won (approximately $2.9 million USD) in damages against Person A, who first raised the bullying suspicions in 2021. The court stated, “Based solely on the evidence submitted, it is difficult to conclude that the exposé was false.”
Jo’s legal team argued that the accusations caused massive financial and emotional damage including canceled acting projects, dropped endorsements, and reputational harm but the court rejected their claims. Even testimonies from around 20 of Jo’s acquaintances were deemed insufficiently objective, as most were close to the actor and could not verify what allegedly happened during his school years in New Zealand.
The controversy began when Person A posted online claiming to be a victim of Jo’s school bullying, alleging incidents such as assault and intimidation during their time abroad. Jo’s side maintained the allegations were groundless, but the court found no proof of fabrication.
Interestingly, the ruling noted that Person A deleted the original post, not as an admission of guilt, but possibly due to the pressure of a major lawsuit. The judge also pointed out that even “defamation by stating facts” can be punishable under Korean law, suggesting A may have been cautious.
With the defamation case dismissed and Jo’s side now appealing to the Seoul High Court, the actor faces both legal and public scrutiny once again. Despite the ongoing dispute, Jo Byung-kyu is preparing to return to the screen in the second half of the year with the film “Finding Hidden Money,” marking his first major project since the controversy erupted.
Whether the appeal can overturn the ruling or if Jo’s comeback will shift public sentiment remains a story the industry is closely watching.
