South Korean actor Jo Byeong Gyu lost in the first instance court in a lawsuit for damages worth 4 billion won against his former schoolmate, A, who accused him of violence or bullying at school. The court ruled that the allegations were not proven false.
According to a Newsis report on November 2, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court's 37th Civil Division dismissed all lawsuits filed by Jo Byeong Gyu and his former agency, HB Entertainment, against A. The court also ordered the plaintiff to bear all court costs.
Jo Byeong Gyu's side claims that A's social media posts constitute defamation and have caused significant financial losses, including the cancellation of advertising contracts and the postponement of drama, film, and variety show filming.
They are seeking 4 billion won in damages, including 200 million won in moral damages. However, the panel of judges stated, "Based on the evidence presented by the plaintiff, it is difficult to conclude that the post is false."
The judges concluded that A deleted his post not because he admitted to lying, but because he feared criminal prosecution and a substantial damage claim. "In Korea, defamation with true facts is punishable, so it is likely that A deleted it for that reason," the judge added.
Additionally, 20 witness statements from Jo Byeong Gyu's acquaintances denying the school violence allegations were rejected as evidence. The judge explained, "They are all people Jo Byeong Gyu knew in Korea. It is difficult to verify the facts of the incident in New Zealand through them."
Some witnesses had indeed studied in New Zealand with Jo, but the judge considered them to have close ties to the actor, and therefore not impartial. Jo Byeong Gyu's side has appealed this ruling. A second-instance trial will be held at the Seoul High Court.
Previously, Jo Byeong Gyu's police report against A for defamation was also dismissed without charges. The controversy began in February 2021 when A posted on social media that she had been bullied by Jo Byeong Gyu while they were both studying in New Zealand.
A claimed she was forced to pay for snacks and karaoke, and was hit with an umbrella and a microphone. Jo Byeong Gyu strongly denied the allegations as "baseless" and immediately filed a civil lawsuit.
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