Actor Cho Jin-woong, who suddenly announced his retirement late last year, is once again making headlines following an unexpected sighting abroad. According to a recent video published by the media The Fact, Cho Jin-woong was seen in Malaysia.
A Korean resident in Malaysia claimed to have briefly spotted the actor, saying he had “passed quickly” and that no photos or videos had been captured. While the report is not yet verified, it quickly gained attention online given Cho’s complete disappearance from public life.
Cho Jin-woong
" data-medium-file="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/12/11013625/cho-jinwoong-juvenile-case-informant-2025-12-11t00-59-19-000z-216x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/12/11013625/cho-jinwoong-juvenile-case-informant-2025-12-11t00-59-19-000z-578x801.jpg" alt="Cho Jin-woong informant on the youth case" class="wp-image-895241" srcset="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/12/11013625/cho-jinwoong-juvenile-case-informant-2025-12-11t00-59-19-000z-578x801.jpg 578w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/12/11013625/cho-jinwoong-juvenile-case-informant-2025-12-11t00-59-19-000z-216x300.jpg 216w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/12/11013625/cho-jinwoong-juvenile-case-informant-2025-12-11t00-59-19-000z-400x554.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/12/11013625/cho-jinwoong-juvenile-case-informant-2025-12-11t00-59-19-000z.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px"/>After announcing his retirement in December, Cho Jin-woong reportedly broke off contact not only with the public but also with his closest acquaintances, effectively going out of the box. His sudden retirement came after allegations emerged regarding a controversial past involving juvenile crime and further misbehavior in adulthood. In response, Cho issued a public apology, stating: “I sincerely apologize for disappointing everyone who trusted and supported me. I will accept all criticism and, from today, I will end my acting activity.”
Prior to his retirement, Cho Jin-woong had completed filming the tvN drama Second Signal, a long-awaited sequel to the 2016 hit series Signal. The drama, which also stars Kim Hye-soo and Lee Je-hoon, was highly anticipated as a sequel that has been in the works for nearly a decade. However, in light of the controversy, its release remains uncertain.
As speculation grows regarding his current whereabouts and future, the reported sighting in Malaysia has reignited public curiosity about Cho Jin-woong’s life after retirement. With no official confirmation and continued silence from the actor, questions remain unanswered, leaving fans and the industry to carefully watch for any further developments.
Sources: Nate News
