Jo Min-ki
Jo Min-ki in 2012
Born	(1965-11-05)November 5, 1965 Seoul, South Korea
Died	March 9, 2018(2018-03-09) (aged 52) Seoul, South Korea
Cause of death	Suicide[1]
Other names	Cho Min-ki
Education	Cheongju University - B.A. Theater and Film Chung-Ang University Graduate School - Master's degree in Performing Arts
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1990–2018
Agent	Will Entertainment
Spouse	Kim Sun-jin ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	2
Korean name
Hangul	조민기
Hanja	趙珉基
Revised Romanization	Jo Min-gi
McCune–Reischauer	Cho Min-gi

Jo Min-ki (November 5, 1965 – March 9, 2018) was a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television series Love and Ambition,^[2] East of Eden,^[3][4] Queen Seondeok,^[5] and Flames of Desire. He was also a noted photographer and published two books and held solo exhibitions,.^[6][7][8] In addition since 2010 he was an assistant professor at Cheongju University.^[9][10]

Following high-profile accusations of sexual misconduct from numerous students, Jo was found dead at an underground parking lot in Seoul in an apparent suicide on March 9, 2018.^[11]

Controversy

Sexual harassment allegations

On February 22, 2018, Jo Min-ki was accused of sexually harassing his students, which he initially denied.^[12][13] It was then revealed that he had resigned from a teaching post at Cheongju University,^[14] and dropped out of his upcoming drama Children of a Lesser God.^[15] A week later, Jo apologized and admitted to the allegations.^[10] It was confirmed that Jo would be investigated by the police and was due to turn himself in for questioning by Monday March 12, 2018.^[16][10] Shortly before his death, police announced that he was banned from leaving the country during the investigation.^[17] Following Jo's death, it was announced he had written and sent a written apology on February 26, however his agency decided not to release it and instead released an official statement of apology.^[18]

Death

Jo Min-ki was found dead from an apparent suicide by hanging on March 9, 2018, in an underground parking lot near his home in Gwangjin District of Seoul.^[11][19] Jo left a six-page suicide note in which he apologized to his family and students, although the police have declined to release the full contents of the note.^[20] A private funeral was held for Jo at the Konkuk University Hospital Funeral Home in Seoul.^[21]

Filmography

TV series

Variety shows

Film

• The Attorney (2013) – Prosecutor Kang Young-cheol
• Love 911 (2012) – chief doctor (cameo appearance)
• A Piano on the Sea (2011)
• Astro Boy (2010) – Dr. Tenma (voice, Korean dubbing)
• The Cut (2007) – Professor Han Ji-woo
• Short Time (2005) – section head Jo (cameo appearance)
• First Kiss (1998) – Won-joong / Kyeong-dong
• Scent of a Man (1998) – Jung Chul-min
• The Girl for Love and The One for Marriage (1993) – Sung-min
• First Love (1993) – Kim Moon-soo
• A Foolish Lover (1992) – Han-il
• Death Song (1991) – Hong Hae-sung

Theater

• Forest Fire (Korean: 산불; RR: Sanbul; 2011) - Gyubok^[27][28]
• A Midsummer Night's Dream (2009)
• The Seagull (2004, 2007) - Boris Alexeyevich Trigorin^{[2][29][30][31]}

Discography