South Korean actor Jo Byeong-gyu, best known for his roles in SKY Castle and The Uncanny Counter, is preparing to temporarily step away from acting as he gets ready for mandatory military service.
The actor recently opened up about his upcoming plans while appearing on the YouTube channel One Mic. Jo Byeong-gyu is currently performing in the play Visitation and discussed what lies ahead once his current stage commitments are completed.
Jo Byeong-gyu Says He Will End Acting Activities This Year
During the interview, Jo Byeong-gyu revealed that he plans to complete his current theatrical projects before beginning his military service.
He explained that after Visitation, he will appear in the musical Opera. According to the actor, the musical is expected to mark the end of his acting activities for the year as he prepares to enlist in the Army.
Jo Byeong-gyu also spoke about his previous attempt to join KATUSA, a program that allows eligible South Korean soldiers to serve alongside the U.S. military.
“I applied for KATUSA about two years ago,” he said, explaining that he passed the English test but was ultimately unsuccessful in the lottery.
The actor said he now looks at the outcome positively because joining KATUSA at that time could have prevented him from taking part in his current play.
For his upcoming service, Jo Byeong-gyu said he is currently considering simply enlisting in the Army.
From SKY Castle to The Uncanny Counter
Jo Byeong-gyu made his acting debut in 2015 with the drama Who Are You: School 2015. He gradually gained attention through supporting roles before achieving wider recognition.
His breakthrough came with the hit drama SKY Castle, where he played Cha Ki-joon. He later strengthened his popularity through projects including Stove League and The Uncanny Counter.
In The Uncanny Counter, Jo Byeong-gyu took on the lead role of So-mun, further establishing himself as one of the notable young actors in Korean entertainment.
Beyond television and film, he has also continued to explore stage acting.
His current play Visitation represents his return to the theater after his appearance in Ireland in 2024. He is subsequently scheduled to make his musical debut through Opera.
Actor Is Currently Without an Agency
Jo Byeong-gyu is also continuing his career independently after parting ways with his former agency.
HB Entertainment announced in September that its exclusive contract with the actor had come to an end. Since then, Jo Byeong-gyu has reportedly continued his professional activities without signing with another agency.
School Violence Allegations Remain Under Legal Dispute
Jo Byeong-gyu's planned military enlistment comes amid an ongoing legal dispute stemming from school violence allegations that surfaced in 2021.
At the time, an individual identified as “A” claimed to have experienced school violence involving the actor while studying in New Zealand. Jo Byeong-gyu and his representatives denied the allegations and took legal action.
His side subsequently filed a damages lawsuit against “A,” seeking approximately 4 billion won.
However, Jo Byeong-gyu's side lost the first trial in September 2025 and later appealed the ruling. The first hearing of the appeal was held at the Seoul High Court on August 28.
During the appeal proceedings, the amount being sought was reportedly reduced to approximately 900 million won. HB Entertainment, Jo Byeong-gyu's former agency, was also removed from the list of appellants.
With his theater and musical commitments still ahead, Jo Byeong-gyu is expected to complete his scheduled activities before beginning his military service.
His decision to take a temporary break from acting marks another significant chapter in his career, while attention remains on both the outcome of the ongoing legal dispute and his eventual return to the entertainment industry.