South Korean Top Actor Under Illegal Drug Suspicion with 181 Anesthesia Injections Controversial Behavior in Focus
On July 24, at the Seoul Central District Court, a sentencing hearing was held for actor Yoo Ah-in (37), who is charged with violations of drug control laws. The prosecution argued that a four-year prison sentence and a fine of 2 million won (approximately 220,000 yen) were appropriate.
“Defendant Yoo reportedly received anesthesia injections 181 times under the pretext of cosmetic procedures from doctors and others. Additionally, over approximately one year from May 2021, he was prescribed about 1,100 sleeping pills under other people’s names on 44 occasions. In the U.S., he is said to have used marijuana with four friends,” said a South Korean newspaper reporter.
‘FRIDAY Digital’ covered the illegal drug use allegations against Defendant Yoo in detail in an article published on March 6 of last year. This article will revisit those details and the shocking behavior of Yoo, such as sweating profusely during TV appearances (some content has been revised).
Prescribed Sedatives Total 4.4 Liters
Over the course of one year, sedatives prescribed at hospitals amounted to over 4.4 liters in total.
South Korean celebrity Yoo is undergoing intense police interrogation for excessive drug administration. The food and drug safety authorities have questioned the frequency with which Yoo was prescribed the sedative propofol, leading them to request an investigation by the police.
“Following a request, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Drug Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at Incheon International Airport on February 5 of last year, after Defendant Yoo returned from the U.S. They conducted a preliminary urine test, which showed a positive reaction for tetrahydrocannabinol, the main component of marijuana.
Additionally, an examination of hair samples by the National Forensic Service revealed the presence of four types of narcotic substances, including marijuana, propofol, cocaine, and ketamine. The police believe Yoo was using drugs regularly and have continued their investigation,” said a South Korean newspaper reporter.
Defendant Yoo is a top actor representing South Korea. He has appeared in numerous works, including the film ‘Antique’ and the drama ‘Can’t Marry,’ and has received several awards, including the Best Actor Award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for ‘The King’s Fate.’ He boasts high popularity in Japan, where he has held multiple fan meetings.
“Defendant Yoo graduated from Dongguk University, a prestigious art school in South Korea. He has brilliantly portrayed a range of roles, including a boxer, a genius pianist, and a delinquent student, making him one of the most prominent actors in Korea. Recently, he gained attention for his role as a problematic religious group’s executive in the Netflix series ‘Hellbound,'” according to the same source.
However, Defendant Yoo has been dropped from Season 2 of ‘Hellbound’ due to the drug overdose allegations, with another actor replacing him in the executive role.
“Due to the types and quantities of drugs used, Defendant Yoo is referred to as the “Korean Tanaka Sei” (convicted for stimulant use) in South Korea. Yoo has been noted for strange behavior for some time. According to South Korean media ‘KOREA WAVE,’ he made a remark at a July 2015 screening of the film ‘Veteran,’ saying he watched his own acting in a dazed state.
When asked by co-stars about the meaning of dazed, he reportedly replied, ‘You’re asking something difficult. The secret to great acting is drugs. I try to relax as much as possible.’ There have been many other points of concern, such as unusually long stories during TV appearances and excessive sweating,” according to a sports newspaper entertainment reporter.
According to reports from South Korea’s MBC, the director of the hospital in Seoul where Defendant Yoo was treated frequently sent warning emails saying things like, ‘Isn’t there excessive use of sleep anesthesia?’ and ‘It’s problematic to switch hospitals.’ The police have seized medical records and other documents from the hospital.
“In response to police interrogations and media reports, Defendant Yoo’s side has provided the following statement: “(Defendant Yoo) has symptoms of fear of needles and has been frequently asking for sedative anesthesia.” The management office has announced, ‘We will respond sincerely to any requests from the police,’ expressing their intention to fully cooperate with the investigation.”
Fans both domestically and internationally are paying close attention to the verdict for Defendant Yoo.
Photo.： REX/Afro
