Park Shi Hoo Thanks Fans But Misses Police Date

A statement from actor Park Shi Hoo appeared on the Internet last week thanking his Japanese fans for their support during his last difficult months. It was his first public statement about anything other than his indictment on sexual assault charges since the charges were dropped early in May.

If box office records are any indication, his Japanese fans have remained loyal to him despite the scandal. Park Shi Hoo's debut film, "Confessions of a Murderer" opened in Japan on June 1 and garnered 2.7 million viewers.

The actor's "thank you" statement took the form of a handwritten letter that said:

"Hello, this is Park Shi Hoo. Thank you to all the fans that waited for me. My official Japan homepage has changed. Please visit it often. I will soon make a comeback in a positive light. I love you."

Netizens who heard that he left a letter immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion before reading it. Knowing how difficult the last few months have been for the actor and his family, they worried that he quit acting, or worse that it was a farewell note. But fans were relieved that the actor was positive about his future.

While the actor made his presence known on the Internet last week, he did not show up at the Seoul Police Station on June 25. His presence was requested for a cross-examination in a still-pending case that is associated with his original indictment.

In February when a trainee actress known as "A" charged Park with sexual assault, he claimed their relations were consensual. However, her claim resulted in charges being filed against him. He then counter-sued the actress, her friend, and the owner of his former agency for defaming his character. He also accused them of threatening him. In May, "A" finally dropped her charges against the actor, which meant that the police could no longer indict him, and he dropped his lawsuit against her.

However, the owner of the actor's former agency also counter-sued Park for defaming his character.

When the indictment was dropped and the "Cheomdamdung Alice" star tried to resolve the charges between them, the owner of the agency, asked for an apology, which, apparently, Park has been reluctant to make. So that trial continues.

Park, whose promising career ground to a halt, as a result of the charges did not show up for cross-examination in this case and sent a message to the police saying that he would not be able to make it. His cross-examination has been postponed.