Cho Jung-seok Eyes Small Screen Return With Crime Drama Paperman After Brief Paternity Leave

Actor Cho Jung-seok is in talks to lead the upcoming drama Paperman, marking his highly anticipated return to the small screen following a brief paternity leave. His agency, Jam Entertainment, confirmed on February 5 that the actor had received the offer and was positively reviewing the project, sparking excitement among fans eager to see one of Korea's most beloved actors back in action.

The news arrives barely a month after Cho welcomed his second daughter on January 14, 2026. The actor, who married singer Gummy (Park Ji-yeon) in 2018 and became a father for the first time in 2020, had previously declared a period of paternity leave to focus on his growing family. His swift return to reviewing new projects suggests that the creative pull of Paperman's unique premise was too compelling to ignore.

A Color-Blind Man and Counterfeit Money

Paperman tells the story of a man with red-green color blindness who becomes unexpectedly entangled in a counterfeiting operation. The intriguing premise blends elements of crime, dark comedy, and human drama, genres that align perfectly with Cho Jung-seok's well-documented ability to balance humor with emotional depth.

At the helm is director Lee Il-hyung, best known for the 2016 box office hit A Violent Prosecutor (검사외전) and the Netflix original drama Bad Memory Eraser (악연). Lee's track record of crafting commercially successful stories with strong character dynamics makes the Cho-Lee pairing an exciting prospect for audiences and industry observers alike.

From Hospital Playlist to Zombie Daughter

Cho Jung-seok has long been regarded as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. His portrayal of the lovable Lee Ik-jun in tvN's Hospital Playlist series cemented his status as a national favorite, while earlier works like Oh My Ghost and the musical film The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo demonstrated his extraordinary range across comedy, romance, and action.

His most recent project, the film Zombie Daughter (좀비딸) directed by Pil Gam-sung, proved to be a massive commercial success, drawing approximately 5.64 million viewers to theaters. The movie's strong performance reaffirmed Cho's bankability and audience appeal, making his next project selection a closely watched industry topic.

Why Paperman Could Be Special

The combination of Cho Jung-seok's nuanced acting and Lee Il-hyung's sharp directorial vision creates a foundation for what could be one of the year's standout dramas. The color blindness angle adds a distinctive narrative layer to the crime story, offering both a physical limitation that drives plot tension and a metaphorical dimension about perception and truth.

Multiple Korean media outlets reported that the collaboration between Cho and Lee represents a reunion of actor and director who share a proven ability to connect with mainstream audiences. With Cho's commercial track record and Lee's genre expertise, Paperman has the ingredients to become a must-watch series.

Looking Ahead

While Jam Entertainment emphasized that Cho is still in the positive consideration stage, industry insiders widely expect the deal to be finalized. Details regarding the broadcast platform, supporting cast, and premiere date have yet to be announced. If confirmed, Paperman would mark Cho Jung-seok's first drama role since the conclusion of Hospital Playlist Season 2 in 2021, a gap of nearly five years that has only intensified anticipation for his television comeback.