Jo Byeong Gyu has announced plans to pause his acting career this year as he prepares to enlist in the military.
During an interview uploaded to the YouTube channel One Mic on September 6, Jo Byeong Gyu discussed his current stage production, Visitors, and his plans for the future.
Explaining why he is currently working without an agency, Jo Byeong Gyu said he had spent about 13 years with his former agency before parting on good terms. He added that he remains in contact with the company and is carefully considering his next agency.
Jo Byeong Gyu said, “Since I’ll be going to the military soon, I’m thinking about joining a company after I return. This year, I plan to end my acting activities with the musical ‘Opera’ and prepare for enlistment.”
He also revealed that he had applied to serve as a KATUSA soldier two years ago. Although he passed the English test, he was not selected through the lottery system. He said he is now considering serving in the Army.
Reflecting on his career, Jo Byeong Gyu said he had acted for 16 years and had spent much of his younger years obsessing over how to improve. He recalled that appearing in The Uncanny Counter helped him achieve a major goal, while also saying he now looks back on some of his early acting with mixed feelings.
Jo Byeong Gyu has remained involved in a legal dispute with person A, who made allegations of school violence against him in 2021. The claims and legal proceedings remain unresolved.
