The long-awaited Korean drama Signal 2 has finally confirmed its premiere date, with tvN announcing that the series will begin airing on December 7, 2026, following an indefinite delay linked to controversy surrounding actor Jo Jin Woong.
On November 6, tvN released an official statement confirming that Signal 2, also known as The Second Signal, will air every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM KST.
The network also revealed that it had tested artificial intelligence (AI) technology to replace Jo Jin Woong in the completed drama. However, the results were not considered suitable for the final production.
tvN explained, "We explored various ways to make adjustments using video technology and even conducted tests to replace the character using AI. However, there were limitations in naturally recreating the acting performances and maintaining the flow of the story, making it difficult to apply the technology to the final production."
The decision comes after Jo Jin Woong announced his retirement from the entertainment industry in December 2025 following revelations about his juvenile record and controversy surrounding his past conduct.
The actor had already completed filming his role as detective Lee Jae Han, a character he originally portrayed in the first season of Signal. The controversy subsequently led to the drama's broadcast being postponed indefinitely.
Addressing concerns about proceeding with the release, tvN emphasized that the series represents the work of many people beyond one cast member.
The network stated, "Signal 2 is not the work of just one actor. It is a collaborative creation that reflects the time and effort of many staff members, producers, and people involved, from planning and filming to post-production."
It added that viewers should distinguish between their assessment of an individual actor and the efforts of everyone who contributed to the project.
tvN also made clear that broadcasting the drama should not be interpreted as defending the controversy.
"We want to make it clear that releasing the drama does not mean supporting or justifying the issues involved," the network said.
Alongside the premiere announcement, tvN revealed a special broadcast schedule for the eight-episode series.
The first two episodes will air consecutively on December 7, with some adjustments to the first episode's running time. Episode 3 will follow on December 8, while the remaining episodes will air individually on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The network explained that the arrangement was designed to maintain the drama's storytelling flow and help viewers become immersed in the series.
Signal 2 reunites acclaimed writer Kim Eun Hee with returning stars Kim Hye Soo, Lee Je Hoon, and Jo Jin Woong.
Despite the controversy and changes to its original release plans, the drama is now officially scheduled to return on December 7.
tvN concluded by promising to respect the efforts of the cast and production team while remaining mindful of its responsibilities as a broadcaster.
