Cha Tae Hyun To Step Down From All Programs; Apologizes In Formal Statement

Following reports that he engaged in gambling with fellow “2 Days & 1 Night” member Kim Joon Ho, Cha Tae Hyun has officially announced that he will be stepping down from all of his programs.

On March 16, KBS 1TV’s “9 O’Clock News” reported that Cha Tae Hyun had shared proof of his gambling through text messages in the “2 Days & 1 Night” group chatroom, which were obtained through Jung Joon Young‘s phone.

The report revealed that on July 1, 2016, Cha Tae Hyun had shared several photos of cash in the group chat and boasted, “This is the money I won from betting on our golf game.” Later that same month, on July 19, Cha Tae Hyun shared another photo of cash and wrote, “Today, [Kim] Joon Ho won 2.6 million won [approximately $2,293], and I won 2.25 million won [approximately $1,984]… this is the money I won.”

On March 17, Cha Tae Hyun responded to the reports by issuing a formal letter of apology and announcing his plans to step down from all of his shows, including KBS 2TV’s “2 Days & 1 Night.”

Cha Tae Hyun’s full statement is as follows:

Hello. This is Cha Tae Hyun.

First, I’m incredibly sorry…

Contrary to what was said in the reports, I did not golf abroad. We golfed together in Korea, thinking it was a fun game, and I returned the money immediately at the time. Although it was something we did for fun, after seeing what I posted in the group chat, I feel overwhelmingly ashamed. As a public figure who has received lots of love, I consider [my actions] to be completely unacceptable.

I’m incredibly sorry to my fans, whom I have disappointed through this matter, and to the viewers who have given their love to “2 Days & 1 Night”…

I’m truly sorry that the other members [of “2 Days & 1 Night”] will be negatively affected by my behavior. Therefore, as of now, I intend to step down from all of my programs.

As the father of a family, I’m extremely sorry to my children and to my family, and I will take time to reflect on my own actions. I apologize.

Meanwhile, Kim Joon Ho’s agency JDB Entertainment responded to the reports by stating, “We are currently in the process of checking [with Kim Joon Ho]. We will inform you when we have figured out the situation.”

The producers of “2 Days & 1 Night” previously announced earlier this week that the show would be going on an indefinite hiatus following the news of Jung Joon Young’s investigation by the police for sharing illegally filmed footage of sexual activity.

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