Actor under sexual abuse probe dead
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A veteran South Korean actor who was under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of his students was found dead Friday.
Police and fire officials confirmed that Jo Min-ki, 53, was found dead in Seoul Friday afternoon.
Yonhap News agency said the death is being treated as a suicide, but police would not confirm that.
Police were investigating multiple claims that Jo sexually abused his students when he was a professor at Cheongju University in central South Korea.
Jo initially insisted on his innocence but reportedly later apologized. He resigned from teaching following the allegations.
Police were to question him next week but the case will be dropped because of his death.
Jo is among dozens of men in positions of power who have recently been accused of sexual misdeeds by women.
Obama discussing produce tv shows
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Barack Obama and Netflix reportedly are negotiating a deal for the former president and his wife, Michelle, to produce shows exclusively for the streaming service.
The proposed deal was reported Friday by The New York Times, which cited people familiar with the discussions who were not identified.
Netflix did not immediately respond for a request for comment. Obama spokeswoman Katie Hill declined comment on the report.
Obama senior advisor Eric Schultz, in a statement provided to The Associated Press, said the Obamas believe in the power of storytelling to inspire.
Schultz said the couple continues to explore new ways to help others share their stories.
The New York Times reported that Obama doesn’t intend to use his Netflix shows to respond directly to President Donald Trump or conservative critics.
‘Sopranos’ prequel film in the works
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Sopranos” might be coming to the movie theater.
Warner Bros. Pictures says Thursday that New Line has purchased a screenplay for a “Sopranos” prequel from series creator David Chase and Lawrence Konner. The studio says the working title is “The Many Saints of Newark” and will be set in the 1960s during the Newark riots.
Chase’s acclaimed series about mobster Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini, ran for six seasons on HBO and won 21 primetime Emmys.
Warner Bros. Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich says in a statement that the studio is thrilled that Chase has decided to revisit and enlarge the Soprano universe. Chase will executive produce and co-write the film, but a director has yet to be selected.
