Korean Actor Found Guilty of Administering 4.4 Liters of Sedatives During Performance

A famous South Korean actor is likely to serve a prison sentence.

 

On September 3rd, the Seoul Central District Court handed down a guilty verdict to actor Yoo Ah-in (37) for violations of drug management laws and charges of evidence tampering, sentencing him to one year in prison and a fine of 2 million won (approximately 218,000 yen). Given the risk of flight, he has been taken into custody.

 

 

“Defendant Yoo is reported to have used highly addictive substances such as propofol and cannabis for over a year. It is also alleged that he illegally purchased sleeping pills under someone else’s name. In court, Yoo acknowledged his drug use but pleaded for consideration of his deep remorse” (Korean newspaper reporter).

“FRIDAY Digital” covered Yoo’s allegations of habitual drug use in detail in an article published on March 6 of last year. The article revisits his alarming behavior, such as sweating profusely during television appearances, and has been reprinted with some content revisions.

 

Positive result in a urine test

The sedatives prescribed at hospitals over the course of a year amounted to over 4.4 liters.

South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in is undergoing intense police interrogation for excessive drug use. The Food and Drug Safety Authority raised concerns about the frequent prescriptions Yoo received for the sedative propofol and requested an investigation by the police.

“Upon receiving the 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 Yoo returned from the United States. A preliminary urine test showed a positive result for tetrahydrocannabinol, the main component of cannabis.

Further investigation by the National Forensic Service of hair samples revealed not only cannabis but also four other drug components: propofol, cocaine, and ketamine. The police believe Yoo was using drugs regularly and continued their investigation.” (Korean newspaper reporter)

 

Yoo Ah-in is a leading South Korean actor, known for his roles in films like Antique and the drama Marriage Not Dating. He has won numerous awards, including the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for The Throne, and enjoys significant popularity in Japan, where he has held multiple fan meetings.

“Yoo graduated from Dongguk University, a prestigious institution in South Korea’s arts scene. He has masterfully played various roles, including a boxer, a genius pianist, and a troublemaker, making him one of the most prominent actors in Korea. Recently, he gained attention for his role as a problematic religious group leader in the Netflix series Hellbound.” (same reporter)

However, Yoo Ah-in was removed from the cast of Hellbound starting from season 2 due to the drug overdose allegations. The role of the executive will now be played by a different actor.

“Due to the types and amounts of drugs he used, Yoo has been compared to ‘South Korea’s Tanaka Kosei’ (who was convicted for drug use). Yoo has long been scrutinized for his unusual behavior. According to Korean media outlet KOREA WAVE, in July 2015, during a screening of the film Veteran, he reportedly said that he watched his own performance in a ‘laughing state.’

When asked by co-stars about the meaning of ‘laughing,’ he allegedly responded, ‘You’re asking difficult questions. The secret to good acting is drugs. I try to relax as much as possible.’ There have been numerous other reports of odd behavior, such as excessively long conversations during TV appearances and excessive sweating.” (sports paper entertainment reporter) 

According to a report by the South Korean broadcaster MBC, the director of the Seoul hospital where Yoo Ah-in was treated repeatedly sent emails warning about excessive use of sedatives and advised against transferring to another hospital due to potential scrutiny. The police have seized medical records from the hospital.

“In response to the police investigation and media reports, Yoo’s side has stated: ‘Yoo Ah-in is said to have symptoms of a phobia of needles and frequently sought sedatives.’ His management agency has announced their willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation, stating, ‘We will respond sincerely to any requests from the police.'” (same source)

Fans both domestic and international are closely watching the verdict for Yoo Ah-in.