Actor Cheon Jeong-myeong Reveals He Was a Victim of Fraud and Embezzlement

On January 27, during the broadcast of tvN STORY's 'Can We Love Now?' (이젠 사랑할 수 있을까), actor Cheon Jeong-myeong opened up about the six-year hiatus from his career. He shared, "I worked hard doing what I wanted to do in my own way." Reflecting on his participation in a matchmaking program, he expressed doubts about his ability to perform well on screen, questioning whether people would be interested in him despite feeling he had nothing special to offer.

Cheon revealed that he had a strong desire to succeed in his career, but this ambition was overshadowed by a betrayal from a long-time friend and manager with whom he had worked for 15 to 16 years. He stated, "I was defrauded and embezzled. At that time, it was hard to believe. I received a call from an employee at the office asking me to come urgently. When I arrived, there were about 30 people there, all in a state of agitation, who had also been scammed by the manager."

He described his former manager as more than just a colleague, likening him to a younger brother, which made the betrayal even more painful. Cheon admitted to feeling lost and in shock, saying, "I felt like I was just standing there in a daze. It was as if I was dreaming. The mental shock was so great that it left me in chaos."

He contemplated quitting acting altogether and even considered retirement seriously. Cheon also mentioned developing social anxiety, stating, "I found it hard to meet people, and even when I did, I couldn't trust them. Even if someone approached me sincerely, it didn't feel genuine; it felt like they were an enemy."

This lack of trust extended to his romantic life as well, affecting his ability to connect with anyone, regardless of gender. He concluded, "I couldn't trust anyone except for my family."