Comedian Jo Se Ho is once again at the center of controversy over alleged ties to organized crime.
While Jo Se Ho’s side has denied the claims, saying he is “simply acquaintances” with the individuals in question, the original accuser has added photos from a high-end drinking party and claimed that lavish entertainment worth tens of millions of won took place.
On the 8th, accuser A shared two photos on social media showing Jo Se Ho at a drinking gathering with acquaintances. The pictures feature premium champagne and liquor on the table, with Jo Se Ho holding bottles or posing. Although A did not specify when the photos were taken, he asserted that “Jo Se Ho has been involved with organized crime groups for decades.”
A specifically mentioned Choi, a figure known to be close to Jo Se Ho, describing him as “someone who, at a young age, wore imported cars and watches worth hundreds of millions of won and even traveled with an entourage.” He questioned, “Is it reasonable that a celebrity knowingly promotes businesses run by such a person, receives luxury gifts and watches worth hundreds of millions, or is entertained at high-end bars with expenses ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of won?”
A also pointed out Jo Se Ho’s withdrawal from variety shows following the controversy, questioning, “If he were truly innocent, would he have left these shows?” He also criticized the timing of Jo Se Ho’s return to Netflix’s variety show Screwballs. A emphasized, “Despite heavy criticism, I have no intention of stopping the exposure.”
With the release of additional photos, the controversy has reignited, leading to a sharp clash between Jo Se Ho’s explanations and the accuser’s claims.