Cho Jin Woong's Signal 2 Delayed Indefinitely

The second half of the year broadcast for tvN drama 'Signal 2' has been canceled. Originally scheduled to air in the first half of this year as a special production for tvN's 20th anniversary, its broadcast was postponed due to lead actor Cho Jin-woong's past juvenile offender controversy and subsequent retirement announcement. The slot for 'Signal 2' will be replaced by Apple TV+ series 'Pachinko' Season 1. However, the exact broadcast date for 'Pachinko' has not yet been determined.

'Signal 2' is the sequel to the highly popular 2016 drama 'Signal', and had garnered significant anticipation as Kim Hye-soo, Lee Je-hoon, and Cho Jin-woong reunited after 10 years. The drama completed filming in August of last year and tells the story of solving cold cases through communication between the past and present via a walkie-talkie.

However, in December of last year, the drama's release became uncertain after lead actor Cho Jin-woong announced his retirement following the revelation of his criminal record as a juvenile offender during his high school years. Allegations surfaced that Cho Jin-woong had received juvenile protection dispositions for serious crimes such as theft, robbery, and rape in the past. He admitted to some of these allegations and declared a halt to his acting career.

Following the controversy surrounding Cho Jin-woong, tvN stated, "'Signal 2' is a project that has been meticulously prepared with the hearts of viewers who have waited 10 years." They added, "To protect the value that 'Signal' holds, we will strive to find the best solution for the drama and our viewers, even if it takes time." It is known that tvN is considering various options, leaving open the possibility of a release within this year.