1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the recent controversy surrounding Korean entertainer Jo Se-ho, who has been accused of having ties to organized crime groups. The article provides Jo’s agency’s response to the allegations and his decision to step down from his television programs.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 조폭 | jopok | organized crime group | The allegations of Jo’s ties to organized crime groups (조폭 연관설) have caused public opinion to worsen. |
| 연관설 | yeonggwanseol | allegation of connection | SNS에 조폭 연관설 제기돼 (The allegation of his connection to organized crime groups was raised on social media.) |
| 반박 | banbak | refute, deny | Jo has once again refuted (재차 반박) the allegations. |
| 금품 수수 | geumpum sussu | receiving money or valuables | The claim that he received money or valuables (금품 수수) is also clearly untrue. |
| 의혹 | uihok | suspicion, allegation | The agency promised that Jo will return in a healthy state after clearing all the current suspicions (의혹). |
| 불식 | bulsik | dispel, remove | The agency said they will completely dispel (온전히 불식시키고) the suspicions against Jo. |
| 하차 | hacja | withdraw, step down | Jo has stepped down (하차했다) from the TV programs he was regularly appearing on. |
| 입장문 | ipjangmun | official statement | Jo’s agency released an official statement (입장문) regarding his withdrawal from the shows. |
| 직·간접적 | jik·ganjeogeog | direct or indirect | The agency denied that Jo was directly or indirectly (직·간접적으로) involved in the activities of organized crime groups. |
| 고가 | goga | high-priced, expensive | The allegation that he received expensive gifts (고가의 선물) is also untrue. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
방송인 조세호(43)가 조직 폭력배와의 연관설로 여론이 악화하자 고정 출연 중이던 프로그램에서 하차했다.
Entertainer Jo Se-ho (43) has stepped down from the regular TV programs he was appearing on as public opinion has worsened due to allegations of his ties to organized crime groups.
조세호 소속사 A2Z엔터테인먼트는 9일 입장문을 통해 “조세호가 tvN ‘유퀴즈 온 더 블럭’과 KBS 2TV ‘1박 2일’에서 하차한다”고 밝혔다.
Jo’s agency, A2Z Entertainment, announced in a statement on the 9th that “Jo Se-ho will be withdrawing from the tvN program ‘Quiz on the Block’ and the KBS 2TV program ‘1 Night 2 Days’.”
다만 조직 폭력배의 행위에 직·간접적으로 관여하고, 고가의 선물을 수수했다는 등의 의혹은 전혀 사실이 아니라고 재차 강조했다.
However, the agency strongly emphasized that the allegations of Jo being directly or indirectly involved in the activities of organized crime groups, as well as receiving expensive gifts, are completely untrue.
소속사는 “조세호는 의혹이 제기된 조직 폭력배의 사업과 일체 무관하다”며 “사업 홍보를 목적으로 그로부터 금품을 수수했다는 주장 역시 명백히 사실이 아니다”라고 했다.
The agency stated that “Jo Se-ho is in no way related to the businesses of the organized crime group in question” and that “the claim that he received money or valuables from them for business promotion purposes is also clearly untrue.”
아울러 “현재 제기된 모든 의심을 온전히 불식시키고 건강한 모습으로 돌아올 것을 약속한다”고 덧붙였다.
Furthermore, the agency added that “we promise to completely dispel all the current suspicions and that Jo will return in a healthy state.”
앞서 최근 한 사회관계망서비스(SNS)에는 조세호를 거론하는 폭로성 글이 올라왔다.
Previously, a revealing post mentioning Jo Se-ho was uploaded on a social media platform.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is the main reason why Jo Se-ho has stepped down from his regular TV programs?
- What are the specific allegations that Jo’s agency has denied?
- How has Jo’s agency responded to the allegations against him?
- What does Jo’s agency promise regarding the current suspicions against him?
- Where did the initial allegations against Jo Se-ho first surface?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The controversy surrounding Jo Se-ho’s alleged ties to organized crime groups highlights the sensitivity and scrutiny that public figures in the Korean entertainment industry face. These types of allegations can quickly lead to a public backlash and damage a celebrity’s reputation, even if the claims are unsubstantiated. Jo’s agency’s swift response and his decision to step down from his TV programs demonstrate the importance of managing such scandals in the Korean media landscape.