Leading K-Drama Star Officially Retires From Acting Career at Age 31

Jang Dong Joo retires from acting amid personal scandal and debt crisis

Actor Jang Dong Joo shocked fans by announcing his retirement from the entertainment industry on May 15. He posted a long message on social media saying he will quit all acting activities and return to an ordinary life.

The controversy began with Jang hinting at deep personal struggles but not naming a specific reason for quitting. Fans quickly linked it to his ongoing issues with phone hacking and massive debts he revealed earlier this year.

Jang previously opened up about going through a “living hell” after hackers broke into his phone following a suspicious call last summer. The hackers used private photos and chats to blackmail him, which led to serious financial trouble.

He said his life “collapsed instantly” due to the hackers’ demands.

“I borrowed money by any means necessary, and my family even sold their house for me. Urgent debts created even more debts, and I lost tens of billions of won and ended up buried in debt.”
— Jang Dong Joo

Jang admitted trying to keep the secrets only caused more harm, hurting those around him.

“When I came to my senses, many people had been hurt because of me. No matter how much I tried to escape, it felt like I had fallen into a swamp I couldn’t get out of.”
— Jang Dong Joo

Fans were already worried last year when he posted a black screen with “I’m sorry” and vanished from social media for a while. He resurfaced briefly, signing with a new agency, but that contract ended just a month later.

Now Jang has deleted almost all his social media accounts except for the retirement statement.

Jang Dong Joo debuted in 2012 in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He acted in dramas like School 2017, Mr. Temporary, and Let Me Be Your Knight. His movies included Honest Candidate and Handsome Guys.