South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in arrives for his trial on alleged drug use at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on September 3, 2024. Jung Yeon-je, AFP/File
Actor Yoo Ah-in is set to make his comeback in an occult thriller film following a controversy over his drug use, according to South Korean media.
Ah-in was revealed Tuesday as part of the cast of "Vampir," a film that will be directed by Jang Jae-hyun, known for helming the 2024 blockbuster horror film "Exhuma," Yonhap News Agency reported.
In the film, Ah-in, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, will reportedly portray the protagonist, a contract killer who tracks down a mysterious pagan group.
"Vampir" also stars Lee Sung-min (of "Misaeng: Incomplete Life" and "Reborn Rich"), Lee Jun-hyuk ("Love Scout" and "The Art of Sarah"), Yoon Kyung-ho ("The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call"), Choi Hyun-wook ("Weak Hero" and "Notes from the Last Row"), and Doi of the hip-hop girl group H//PE Princess.
The upcoming feature is also drawing attention as director Jang's next project following "Exhuma," which starred Kim Min-sik and Kim Go-eun and became South Korea's highest-grossing film of 2024.
READ: 5 reasons to watch Korean occult thriller ‘Exhuma'
In September 2024, Ah-in, known for starring in series such as "Chicago Typewriter" and "Hellbound," as well as films including "Burning" and "#Alive," was found guilty of illegally using the anesthetic drug propofol and sentenced to one year in prison.
He was eventually released from prison in February 2025 after receiving a suspended sentence.
The controversy derailed Ah-in's career, leading to his withdrawal from the second season of Netflix's dark fantasy series "Hellbound," where he was replaced by Kim Sung-cheol. — With a report from Agence France-Presse
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