Uncanny Counter Actor Jo Byeong-Kyu Makes Comeback With Boy, 2 Years After Losing School Bullying Lawsuit

Uncanny counter starJo Byeong-Kyu returned to the limelight at the press screening for his upcoming film Boy on (Tuesday) January 6, 2026, following a challenging legal battle over past school violence

allegations. The film, directed by Lee Sang Deok, is a near-future dystopian story where Jo stars as Rohan, a young crime boss in a dangerous, lawless district. The film also features Jinni, who is transitioning from music to acting, making her debut as Jane. This marks Jo Byeong-Kyu’s first official public appearance in months, following the news that he lost a multi-billion KRW lawsuit related to claims of bullying during his school years in New Zealand. Despite the controversy surrounding him, Jo expressed his excitement about the film, and spoke about the young, passionate crew and his hope to reach a younger audience. His return to the screen comes after nearly two years away from the industry.

Jo Byeong-Kyu returns to silver screen 2 years after losing school violence damage lawsuit

According to a report in AllKPop, Jo’s return to the screen is especially poignant, coming nearly two years after he faced a legal setback in a lawsuit filed against an individual, A, who claimed that Jo had bullied them during their time in New Zealand. The actor and his former agency, HB Entertainment, sought damages totaling approximately 4 billion KRW (about 2.7 million USD), citing the false nature of the accusations and the severe damage done to Jo’s career, including the termination of contracts and appearances. However, the court dismissed the actor’s claims, ruling that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove the allegations were false. Jo was ordered to bear the costs of the lawsuit, leading his legal team to file an appeal.As per the report, despite the surrounding controversy, Jo appeared optimistic about his return to acting. In his comments at the press conference, he shared his admiration for director Lee Sang Deok’s work, stating, “I’ve always liked director Lee’s way of working and his results as a fan. After reading the script for Boy, I felt that this was a project that could draw younger audiences back into theaters, so I really enjoyed working on it.” He also expressed appreciation for the younger, more dynamic production team, noting that the exchange of ideas on set was both fun and enriching.

About Jo Byeong-Kyu's Boy

The screening of Boy was followed by a press conference attended by director Lee, Jo Byeon- Kyu, and actress Jinni. Before the event officially kicked off, a moment of silence was observed to honour the late actor Ahn Sung Ki, who passed away on January 5, with the attendees paying tribute to his lasting legacy.Boy follows Rohan (played by Jo), a young crime boss operating in a chaotic, lawless district called Texas Hot Springs, where violence and crime run rampant. The film explores a love story that shakes the foundations of this troubled world. Jo’s character is central to the narrative, and his performance has garnered attention due to his absence from the industry in recent years. Jinni, former member of the girl group NMIXX, makes her acting debut in the role of Jane, a character caught in the turmoil surrounding Rohan.

Boy director Lee Sang Deok on controversy sorrounding Jo Byeong Kyu's casting

Director Lee Sang Deok explained his decision to cast Jo Byeong-Kyu despite the controversy, stating that the actor demonstrated a clear and compelling understanding of the character from the moment he received the script. He added that Jo approached the project with sincerity and professionalism, leaving him with no hesitation and a strong desire to collaborate.Boy will be released in theaters on January 14, 2026.