Jo Jin-woong. Yonhap News

Actor Jo Jin-woong has officially announced his retirement due to past controversies as a juvenile offender during his teenage years. Following this, several celebrities with pro-Democratic Party leanings, as well as professors and lawyers, flooded Facebook with posts defending Jo Jin-woong. Prominent figures among them are Professor Han In-sup and lawyer Kim Kyung-ho, individuals unknown to the author. A look at the Facebook accounts of those who wrote these posts reveals that they contribute to the Hankyoreh newspaper or belong to the progressive camp.

First, lawyer Kim Kyung-ho (who served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Military Studies at Daeduk University, among other roles) posted on Facebook today (the 7th). The title reads, "Korea in 2025 Sends Jean Valjean Back to Prison." Lawyer Kim argued, "If Victor Hugo had witnessed Korea in 2025, he might have burned the manuscript of 'Les Misérables'."

This raises a question. Did lawyer Kim Kyung-ho actually read 'Les Misérables'? If he had, he would have known how absurd it is to compare Jo Jin-woong to Jean Valjean. Why did Jean Valjean steal bread during the 19th century French Revolution? It was because he could not stand by and watch his starving nephew die. Did Jo Jin-woong's alleged crime involve stealing for starving relatives or acquaintances? This is utterly preposterous. According to Dispatch, which reported on Jo Jin-woong's case, he was sent to a juvenile reformatory after being tried for aggravated robbery and rape (1994) during his high school years.

Jean Valjean took in and raised Cosette, the daughter of Fantine, who made a living through factory work and prostitution, and who died of illness. Later, Jean Valjean lived an exemplary life as Mayor Madeleine. When an uprising occurred in Paris, he was driven into a crisis by the persistent pursuit of Inspector Javert, who knew Jean Valjean's past. The story concludes with Jean Valjean sacrificing his life for Cosette and her lover.

The idea of comparing Jo Jin-woong to Jean Valjean is laughable, if not outright absurd. What was Jo Jin-woong's life like? After becoming an adult, he was fined for assault for beating up a theater troupe member and had his driver's license revoked for drunk driving. Jo Jin-woong has been engrossed in the political ideology of one particular faction, associating with prominent politicians. What altruistic actions has he undertaken in his life? It would be different if Jo Jin-woong, aside from his acting career, had overcome his past mistakes and pursued a path of good deeds and service. Comparisons should be made with appropriate subjects. This is an insult to Victor Hugo, the author of Les Misérables. 

Another individual is Han In-sup, an emeritus professor at Seoul National University's School of Law. Professor Han also vehemently defended the situation on his Facebook page on the 7th, stating, "The Japanese imperialists employed tactics to exploit personal weaknesses and crush the greater cause of the independence activists he admired." He added, "Entertainers, who must be mindful of public popularity, are perhaps the most vulnerable. Let us not join the foolishness of throwing stones at others but wisely discern right from wrong. I want to see another human being in him who overcomes challenges and setbacks.” 

Professor Han's perspective is even more alarming. Does he mean to imply that those criticizing Jo Jin-woong are acting like the police during the Japanese colonial era, who oppressed independence fighters? Furthermore, he dismisses the public criticizing Jo Jin-woong's actions as foolish. Professor Han asserts, "If someone were to dredge up events from decades ago to try and bury a person's current achievements, the target of severe social condemnation should not be the entertainer but the media." However, it is worth noting that the progressive camp frequently uses the "pro-Japanese collaborator" frame against individuals from the colonial era 80 years ago to manipulate political public opinion. It requires no explanation to see who routinely brings up past events for political gain. The Jo Jin-woong case clearly shows a tendency to defend one's own side, even resorting to far-fetched logic.

Jo Jin-woong has paid the price for his sins. He seemed to embody the spirit of independence fighters, playing the young Kim Gu, acting as an apostle of justice. The climax was his participation in the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day in 2025, reciting the pledge of allegiance to the national flag and interacting with the highest echelons of the progressive political power, living a life as a popular actor. Seeing Jo Jin-woong thus transformed into an embodiment of justice, it is not the fault of the informant who revealed his past, even if such a revelation occurred.

Of course, our society should provide opportunities for a second chance and the right to live a new life. However, a second life is applicable only when one demonstrates a changed attitude and conducts a life of practice. The public is left wondering if Jo Jin-woong's life has shown any such aspects.

Above all, I feel further despair at the intellect of Professor Han In-sup and lawyer Kim Kyung-ho, who blindly defend Jo Jin-woong.                    

Author Oh Se-ra