Jo Se-ho returns to YouTube after 11-month hiatus

Broadcaster Jo Se-ho released a video on his revamped YouTube channel on the 5th, apologizing for past controversies following an 11-month hiatus caused by organized crime allegations. The new channel, which has approximately 110,000 subscribers, features a collaboration with PDs Kim Min-seok and Park Geun-hyung.

Broadcaster Jo Se-ho has announced his return through his personal YouTube channel after suspending his activities for approximately 11 months due to allegations of involvement with organized crime. In the first video of his new channel, he took a cautious step toward re-entering the public eye by leading with an apology and reflection regarding the past controversy.

On the 5th, a video titled "Confessions of 45-year-old Jo Se-ho" was released on the YouTube channel 'How Can I Go If I Don't Know Them?'. This is the first content presented following Jo Se-ho's declaration to resume YouTube activities. The channel, which has been revamped from his existing one, has secured approximately 110,000 subscribers. It is known to be a channel created through a collaboration between Jo Se-ho and PDs Kim Min-seok and Park Geun-hyung, who were with him during the early days of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block'.

Appearing before the camera with a bright expression, Jo Se-ho announced, "I recently greeted you all through 'Crazy Driver', but this is my first time greeting you through a personal video in a long while," adding, "I have opened my new channel this time." Facing viewers with personal content for the first time in a long time, he addressed the controversy surrounding him before introducing the direction of the channel.

"2026 is already rushing toward its end, and I think 2026 has been a meaningful year for me," Jo Se-ho stated. "More than ever, I have looked back deeply on the time I have walked. It was a meaningful year of reflecting and strengthening my future resolve." He further reflected on his hiatus, adding, "Above all, I also spent a lot of time with my family."

An apology followed for those who felt disappointed or uncomfortable following the controversy. Bowing his head, he said, "I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to those who were disappointed and those who felt uncomfortable due to what happened last time." He pledged, "Moving forward, I will be a Jo Se-ho who looks around more responsibly regarding relationships and acts with even greater caution."

He also shared his feelings ahead of his return and made a request to the public. "I will be 46 next year, but I am still very lacking," Jo Se-ho said. "Through this time, I will strive to be a Jo Se-ho who takes responsibility as a person so that you can smile and find joy." He added, "If you are okay with it, I ask for your continued support." On the new channel, he plans to present content with a concept of transforming from his previously known image as a 'professional non-participant' into a 'professional participant.'

The background of Jo Se-ho's public reflection and apology lies in the allegations of involvement with organized crime that surfaced last December. At the time, he was embroiled in suspicions of having close ties with organized crime members and receiving money and goods. His agency, A2Z Entertainment, drew a line, stating that there is no connection between the business of the individual at the center of the allegations, Mr. Choi, and Jo Se-ho. The agency also announced legal action, claiming that the assertion that money and goods were received from Mr. Choi for the purpose of business promotion is not a clear fact.

While Jo Se-ho also denied the related allegations, he admitted that as a broadcaster standing before the public, he should have managed his surrounding relationships more cautiously. At the time, he stated, "As a person standing before the public, I should have been more cautious with my relationships with people around me, but with a younger mind, I think I was unable to deal with all those connections maturely. I am deeply reflecting." Following this, he halted his activities by stepping down from KBS 2TV's '2 Days and 1 Night' and tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block'.

While he did not step down from the Netflix variety show 'Crazy Driver' and continued his appearance, that program is also scheduled to end its run with the sixth season this coming 21st. Following his successive withdrawals from major variety shows, attention is focused on whether Jo Se-ho, who has established a point of contact with the public again through his personal YouTube channel using this apology and reflection, can restore trust as a broadcaster.

Read the original (Korean)