Actor Jo In-sung has been swept into a political controversy and is facing a barrage of malicious comments on social media.
Recently, comments on Jo’s posts have demanded that he state his position by citing the exchange rate and political issues, or they try to pin a specific political leaning on him. Messages like "Why won’t you talk about the exchange rate now," "You spoke then, but you’re silent now?" and "So you’re openly showing your politics" have been posted, along with personal attacks.
The spark was his appearance last month on MBC’s current affairs program Son Seok-hee's Questions 4. There, Jo appeared with director Ryoo Seung-wan to share behind-the-scenes stories from the film HUMINT, mentioning difficulties during overseas location shoots. Jo explained that, coinciding with an emergency martial-law situation, the exchange rate surged, which significantly raised overseas stay costs and increased the production budget burden.
Although his remarks were about the practical hardships of production, some online communities reframed the context with a political reading. Observers say certain users even engaged in coordinated "brigading," directing others to swarm Jo’s social media based on those comments.
In particular, comments that invoke exchange-rate figures or the broader economy to pressure him for further statements, or that compare his past remarks to the current situation to criticize him, have continued. The wave of comments shows no sign of stopping, even long after the broadcast aired.
Nevertheless, Jo In-sung has maintained silence, continuing to post everyday updates without issuing any separate response.
Meanwhile, Jo is gearing up for the release of director Na Hong-jin’s new film Hof.