Actor Jo Byeong-kyu (or Cho Byeong-kyu), caught up in a school bullying controversy, is returning to the small screen with the new drama series 'The Uncanny Counter 2', raising interest about whether he will explain the situation at an official press conference. However, as the press conference will be broadcast live online rather than in person, it's possible that questions may be screened in advance.

Jo Byeong-kyu will return to the scene after more than two years since the bullying controversy, through tvN's new weekend drama 'The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch' (script by Kim Saebom, directed by Yoo Sun-dong, 'The Uncanny Counter 2'), which premieres on the 29th of this month. 'The Uncanny Counter 2' is set to air its first episode at 9:20 pm on the 29th.

Before the broadcast, a press conference will be held at 2 pm on the 21st (Friday) of this month with the PD and the actors. On the 14th, the production team stated that it would not be held offline but online.

The production team said on the day, "The press conference will include the release of a highlight video, character introductions, warming-up talks, and a Q&A session with the actors and director. We request to send questions via email." Jo Byeong-kyu, who led season 1, confirmed his attendance on the day.

In 2021, there were about four disclosures alleging that Jo Byeong-kyu had bullied classmates from elementary school to his study abroad period in New Zealand.

Regarding this, Jo Byeong-kyu wrote on his SNS, "I find it overwhelming to be misunderstood for things I did not do because of a few words and a photo. I cannot respond individually to anonymous false reports and malicious posts, and I have requested investigations on all matters, so please wait." The issue, including the apology statement and the misuse of photos, has not yet been resolved, and there is a tense standoff between Cho Byeong-kyu's side, his agency, and Kim, a former classmate in New Zealand.

Jo Byeong-kyu hit a three-run home run with dramas 'SKY Castle' (2018), 'Stove League' (2019), and 'The Uncanny Counter' (2021), establishing himself as a rising star. In particular, 'The Uncanny Counter' started with a 2.7% viewer rating (provided by Nielsen Korea) and ended with 11%, receiving a lot of love from viewers. However, his career took a severe hit after the bullying disclosure that year.

Jo Byeong-kyu claims innocence, saying, "I've never done such a thing," and his agency also stated that the exposé was false and that the whistleblower had sent an apology. However, another whistleblower refuted, "I never wrote an apology. I never asked for leniency," and the controversy has continued for two years.

It is noteworthy what impact Jo Byeong-kyu's return through the popular series 'The Uncanny Counter 2' will have on the work and his career amid unresolved situations.

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