Jin said on social media on the 28th that he had planned to say goodbye after his final episode, but wrote earlier because an official article about his departure was published while he still has many episodes left to air. He said he learned of the production team’s explanation and decision through his manager, and that he left the show after his last recording in early April.
His message was restrained, without public criticism of the production team. He thanked the program and viewers, saying that in his 25-year career he worked harder and approached the show with more sincerity than any other shoot. Still, his wording — including that he heard the news “through my manager” — suggested disappointment with the process.
Receiving such news through a manager is not unusual in the TV industry, where schedules, contracts and casting decisions are often communicated through management. Producers may also see that route as a way to follow formal procedure and avoid misunderstandings, especially during a broader retooling that can involve departures and replacement discussions at the same time.
But a process that is procedurally acceptable may still feel insufficient on a personal level. Jin was not a one-time guest; he had been a regular presence on the program as an investigator representing the husband’s side, making him part of the show’s core lineup. For long-running cast members, the way an exit is wrapped up can matter as much as the decision itself.
The timing of the reporting also sharpened the reaction. Jin said he was disappointed that news of his departure came out first while he still appears in upcoming episodes. In effect, he remained on screen as a member of the program while being treated off screen as someone who had already left, losing the chance to choose when and how to deliver his own farewell.
Producers have the authority to revamp a program, and rotating cast can be part of a show’s strategy. Jin said the decision was explained as being for the program’s changes, a rationale that can be understood. The unease, the article argues, lies in the gap between “official procedure” and the feeling of not being directly informed — a gap that can invite misunderstanding. Jin maintained a polite tone to the end, raising a broader question: When a long-running relationship ends, is following procedure enough, or does the manner of the goodbye also matter?
* This article has been translated by AI.
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