Director Lee Sandok expresses trust in Cho Byung-kyu for 'Boy,' despite past bullying allegations, emphasizing his dedication and understanding.
January/7/2026 12:20
Director Lee Sandok of the movie 'Boy' expressed trust in Cho Byung-kyu, stating he cast him without considering other matters. Yesterday (6th), at a press conference after the media screening of 'Boy' held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul, Cho Byung-kyu, former NMIXX member Jini, and director Lee Sandok attended. Regarding the casting of Cho Byung-kyu despite bullying allegations, director Lee said, 'When I handed over the script, he had a high understanding of the character and faced the production environment sincerely, so I felt a strong desire to work together without thinking of other matters.' When asked about his feelings on returning, Cho Byung-kyu said, 'I liked the way director Lee Sandok works and I was a fan of his works. After seeing the script for 'Boy,' I thought that even though I am young, young people would be more likely to go to theaters, and I enjoyed working on it.' He continued, 'The staff was younger compared to other films, so it was more enjoyable to adjust opinions. The working process remains a good memory, and the comfort was impressive,' adding, 'I am very nervous and worried about what kind of interaction our movie can have with the audience.' Last November, Cho Byung-kyu and his former agency HB Entertainment filed a lawsuit for damages amounting to about 4 billion won (approximately 4.3 million USD) against Mr. A, who raised bullying allegations, but lost the case. On February 19, 2021, Mr. A claimed on social media that he was bullied by Cho Byung-kyu during their study abroad in New Zealand. In response, Cho Byung-kyu claimed that Mr. A made false posts that defamed him, resulting in damages worth 4 billion won due to the cancellation of advertising model contracts and appearances in dramas, movies, and variety shows, and sought compensation of 200 million won (approximately 220,000 USD). However, the court ruled that 'the submitted materials do not make it easy to conclude that the exposure article is false,' dismissing all of Cho Byung-kyu's claims and ordering him to bear all litigation costs. Cho Byung-kyu has filed an immediate appeal against this decision. The movie 'Boy,' set to be released in Korea on the 14th, is a romance-crime film set in a near-future virtual city, where a single love shakes everything.
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