Cho Kuk Faces Scrutiny Over 'Staged' Drinking Photo: Wine or Soju?

Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is facing renewed controversy after posting a photo of himself at a dinner with actor Lee Kwan-hoon. The image, shared on his Facebook, shows the two men clinking glasses, with Cho Kuk smiling at the camera. However, the presence of both wine and soju in the picture has sparked debate.

While a bottle of soju is visible with its cap on and the liquid level unchanged, a partially opened bottle of wine and a wine glass are also in the frame. This has led some critics to allege that Cho Kuk intentionally posed with soju for the photograph, despite wine also being available, suggesting a staged attempt to appear relatable.

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Was the photo taken with soju intentionally? The soju bottle is capped, and the wine is open.

This is not the first time Cho Kuk has been embroiled in a "commoner cosplay" accusation. Last August, after his release from prison, he shared a meal with his family at a high-end Korean beef restaurant. He posted only a video of the soybean paste stew, omitting the main course of expensive beef, which drew criticism for appearing to feign a modest lifestyle.

At the time, Cho Kuk responded to his critics by stating, "Only pigs see pigs," implying that those criticizing him were themselves vulgar. The current controversy over the drink photo is reigniting discussions about his public image and perceived authenticity.

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Only pigs see pigs.