tvN’s “Hometown” will be removing its writer from its official credits.
On September 28, after it came to light that “Hometown” writer Joo Jin was actually director Cho Hyun Hoon using a pen name, production company Studio Dragon announced that they would remove his name from the drama’s credits.
In 2018, Cho Hyun Hoon apologized after admitting to sexually harassing a female director at a film festival afterparty back in 2013. The director, who is known for his 2016 film “Jane,” also announced at the time that he would be halting all activities and work in order to reflect.
Responding to the news of the “Hometown” writer’s true identity, a spokesperson for Studio Dragon stated, “It was right before we began filming that we became aware of the controversy related to writer Joo Jin.”
“When we produce projects in the future, we will be more careful in our checks in order to prevent this kind of thing from happening,” they continued. “Right now, we are in the final stages of filming, so the script has already been completed. Although it is a feeble measure, we plan to remove writer Joo Jin’s name from the credits.”
Meanwhile, Cho Hyun Hoon released the following statement in response to the news:
This is Cho Hyun Hoon.
Although I feel a bit cautious, I’d like to share my position regarding the news report from yesterday.
It’s true that I’m the writer who is using the pen name Joo Jin, and it’s also true that I’m the person who committed a wrongdoing that I shouldn’t have against one of my colleagues in the film industry in 2013.
I’m truly sorry to those who suffered because of my mistake, my colleagues in the film industry, and the viewers, cast, and crew of the drama that is currently airing.
Both then and now, I never had any intention of denying or hiding that incident, and that mindset has not changed. Even now, I continue to repeatedly think back and reflect on that incident.
I will do anything I can to help those who have been hurt by my actions. I will not forget my wrongdoing, and I will live my life deeply repenting.
“Hometown” is a new mystery thriller starring Yoo Jae Myung as a detective investigating a series of murders, Han Ye Ri as a woman searching for her kidnapped niece, and Um Tae Goo as an evil terrorist who is Han Ye Ri’s brother. The drama began airing on tvN last week.
Source: Soompi