"'Support for Yoon' Choi Jun-yong, Don't Disgrace Actors"…Writer So Jae-won’s Fierce Remark

"Forced Retirement Due to Poor Acting"
"Actor, a Profession Serving the Public"

So Jaewon, artist. So Jaewon artist Instagram

So Jaewon, the author of original works such as the films 'Wish' and 'Tunnel,' harshly criticized actor Choi Junyong, who publicly expressed support for President Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the 7th, So posted an article about Choi Junyong on his social media account. Along with it, he wrote, "Was this person even an actor? Is someone who was forcibly retired because of poor acting still an actor?" He added, "It's not that his acting is old-fashioned, he simply cannot act, so how can he not even appear in works, yet you write articles calling him an actor?"

He continued, "This industry is ruthless. If directors, writers, or actors lack talent, no one hires them, and they don't even dare to show their business cards anywhere. It's because they are ashamed to take a break from projects," and said, "If you were forcibly retired due to lack of skill, just live quietly. Don't tarnish the name of actors and disgrace the real actors."

He also criticized, "It's surprising that someone like that is even called an actor in the news. Even unknown minor actors are more passionate and better at acting than you when you go to the set," adding, "That's why you are not cast. Even minor roles require a certain level of skill."

He expressed concern, saying, "Our actors live by their acting alone," and "While the majority of the public is criticizing traitors, I fear that noble people who endure day by day might be collectively insulted because of fake actors like you." Finally, he added, "Acting is a profession that serves the public, not one that praises power. That's why your acting is a mess."

Actor Choi Jun-yong attended a rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol and made a statement. YouTube channel 'Jeon Gwang-hoon TV'

Earlier, on the 3rd, Choi Junyong participated in a rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon and made remarks supporting martial law. On that day, he said, "I was shocked when martial law was suddenly declared on December 3rd last year, but what surprised me more was that the martial law ended within a few hours," and confessed, "Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. If you were going to impose martial law, you should have done it properly. I wondered why it ended so quickly."

He continued, "But as time passed, I realized I didn't understand President Yoon's great intention. About a month after martial law was declared, aren't the anti-state forces that the president always talks about stirring up trouble here and there?" He said, "People are carrying signs saying 'Impeach Yoon Seok-yeol, the leader of the rebellion.' Why is the Chinese Communist Party coming to our country and doing such things? Why is it that there are no spies in our country?"

He also said, "Democratic Party lawmakers ask, 'Why talk about spies from the past?' But how many spies have come out of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions?" He added, "They use the terminology from North Korea as it is, and carry pickets with instructions directly from North Korea. If they are not spies, then who are?"

Along with this, he shouted, "They say rallies (for presidential impeachment) are continuing in Hannam-dong without permission," and "Are those people even citizens of the Republic of Korea? If you hate Korea, go to North Korea, you bastards." Lastly, he encouraged his supporters, saying, "President Yoon has awakened our people. Let's protect him until the end."

Actor Choi Jun-yong. Choi Jun-yong Instagram

As his remarks sparked controversy, on the 6th, Choi Junyong posted several photos of himself attending the anti-impeachment rally on his social media. Along with the photos, he wrote, "Don't come to my feed and make noise. Just don't come. You mindless amoebas," and "Unfriend me on Instagram and Facebook. I don't care," showing a sharp response to netizens who criticized his support for martial law.

Meanwhile, So Jaewon, who criticized Choi Junyong, is the grandson of painter So Byungho and debuted in 2008 with the novel 'I Was a Ten-Pro.' Since then, he has published works such as 'Father,' 'Night of Korea,' 'To Live Like Them,' 'Wish - Searching for Wings of Hope,' 'Tunnel - We Were Faceless Killers,' 'Connecting Memories,' 'Farewell Has Left,' 'Three Men's Stories,' and 'At the Edge of the Cliff, But Not Fallen Yet.'