tvN schedules 'The Second Signal' for December 7, abandons plan to replace Cho Jin-woong with AI

tvN released an official statement on the 6th announcing that the drama 'The Second Signal' has been scheduled as a Monday-Tuesday drama starting December 7. The broadcast time is set for 10:00 PM, later than previous slots, and the series consists of eight episodes. On the premiere date, the first episode's length will be partially reduced to allow for a continuous broadcast of episodes 1 and 2; episode 3 will air on the 8th, followed by one episode every Monday and Tuesday.

Regarding the controversy over actor Cho Jin-woong's past history as a juvenile offender, tvN explained that they sought ways to modify the footage using video technology and conducted tests to replace the individual using AI. However, they stated that final application is difficult due to limitations in naturally implementing acting expressions and the flow of the narrative. The channel stated, "The wrongdoings of a specific performer in the past can never be taken lightly," but added, "'The Second Signal' is not the work of a single person, but a collective creation containing the efforts of many staff and production members." They further added that releasing the work does not mean they are defending or justifying the issue.

'The Second Signal' is a sequel to the 2016 drama 'Signal,' written by Kim Eun-hee and starring Kim Hye-soo, Lee Je-hoon, and Cho Jin-woong. Originally intended to air in the first half of this year as a special production commemorating the 20th anniversary of tvN's opening, the scheduling was postponed after Cho Jin-woong's past was revealed last December. Following the controversy, Cho Jin-woong admitted his wrongdoing and announced his retirement from the entertainment industry; he plays the core character, Detective Lee Jae-han, in this work, for which filming has already been completed.

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