Yoo Ah In drug abuse case: Hellbound actor sentenced to one year in prison with probation as his career hangs in the balance

Time of India

13 hours ago

Yoo Ah In drug case: South Korean actor Yoo Ah In, whose real name is Eom Hong Sik, was officially convicted in his drug case after a prolonged legal battle. On July 3, the South Korean Supreme Court's first division upheld the lower court's ruling, sentencing the actor to one year in prison with two years of probation. The court found him guilty of violating the Narcotics Control Act, following his appeal. Initially arrested in court during the first trial, Yoo's sentence was later adjusted in the second trial, with the court considering his sleep disorder and pledge to avoid reoffending.
Yoo Ah In drug case: Details of the drug use and illegal purchases
The Hellbound star was accused of habitually abusing multiple medical drugs over a long period. Between September 2020 and March 2023, he reportedly administered propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and remimazolam a total of 181 times. Prosecutors also charged the 38-year-old with illegally purchasing approximately 1,100 sleeping pills on 44 different occasions under someone else's name from May 2021 to August 2023. The volume and frequency of drug use shocked the public, especially given Yoo's reputation as a respected actor.
Actor's indictment and the public fallout
Yoo was formally indicted in 2023 on drug charges involving seven substances, including propofol. At the time, the news caused an immediate backlash, with brands dropping him and upcoming projects either delayed or cancelled. His career took a serious hit, and he faced a wave of criticism online. The case marked one of the biggest drug-related scandals in the Korean entertainment industry in recent years.
Despite the scandal, Yoo Ah In's film The Match finds box office success
Even with the controversy still fresh, his latest film, The Match, managed to draw strong numbers. Released in April, the movie topped the Korean box office for two straight weekends.
Based on the true story of two legendary Go (baduk) players, the film, also starring Lee Byung Hun, the film grossed over $14.1 million and captured a 7.72% share of total box office revenue, according to K-media reports. The sports drama is now streaming on Netflix.
Yoo Ah In's long list of acclaimed roles
Before his legal troubles, Yoo was widely known for his bold role choices and powerful screen presence. He earned praise for his performances in films like Burning, Veteran, and The Throne, and he took on memorable characters in series like Chicago Typewriter and Hellbound.
Despite receiving widespread critical acclaim for his intense performance in Hellbound, he was notably absent from the second season of the hit supernatural thriller. His character as Jeong Jin Soo, whose chilling arc helped cement the show's early popularity, was written out following the drug abuse scandal that surfaced in 2023. Netflix and the production team remained tight-lipped about the decision, but industry insiders believe the controversy left producers with little choice.
Since then, Yoo's name has remained off casting announcements, and there has been no official confirmation of any upcoming projects. With his legal battles now reaching a conclusion, questions remain about whether he will be able to return to the industry or if this marks the end of one of his impressive acting career.
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