Jang Dong Joo goes unreachable after posting shocking video and message about a “Last Chance”

Actor Jang Dong Joo raised widespread concern after posting a highly disturbing video on social media that reportedly shows self-harm, followed by a sudden loss of contact with those around him.

On May 22, the actor shared a lengthy message alongside the video on his SNS account, in which he referred to breaking a promise and reflected on personal regrets. In the post, he described the act as part of a personal vow and said he had failed to keep commitments made to himself, his family, and people around him. He added that he intended to “reset” his life and treat the situation as a final opportunity to change, urging himself to “pull it together.”

The post quickly drew alarm from online users due to the nature of the content. While he later clarified that the post was not intended to signal an intention of suicide or to threaten anyone, he acknowledged that it was meant as a personal act of self-discipline and accountability.

According to local reports, Jang Dong Joo had been working as an acting instructor at a private academy in Seoul’s Gangnam district until recently. He reportedly continued teaching students up until last week, making the sudden change in his public activity and subsequent disappearance from contact particularly concerning for colleagues and acquaintances. An academy representative confirmed that they have since lost contact with him.

In a follow-up explanation, the actor stated that he was currently receiving support from his family and undergoing treatment and recovery efforts to regain emotional stability. He emphasized again that the content was not intended as an expression of suicidal intent, but rather a reflection of his struggle with personal discipline and past mistakes.

Despite this clarification, public concern continues to grow. Mental health experts and online users have noted that the public sharing of self-harm-related content can carry significant risks, including potential distress to viewers and the possibility of imitation.

Earlier in May, Jang Dong Joo had announced his retirement from acting, stating that he intended to step away from his career. He previously revealed that he had faced severe financial difficulties, including claims of substantial debt and alleged cyber-related incidents affecting his personal life.

His management company, Management W, responded to his retirement announcement by stating that the decision had been made unilaterally without prior consultation, describing it as a breach of trust and contractual responsibility.

As of now, concerns remain over his wellbeing as contacts with those close to him remain limited, and the situation continues to develop.