Actor Yoo Ah In is nearing the Supreme Court’s final verdict in his ongoing drug case.
According to legal sources on June 17, the Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice Ma Yong Joo) scheduled the sentencing hearing for Yoo Ah In, who was indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act, on July 3 at 10:10 AM.
Yoo Ah In is accused of using four types of medical narcotics, propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and remimazolam, a total of 181 times between September 2020 and March 2023. He also allegedly illegally obtained over 1,100 sleeping pills through 44 unauthorized prescriptions under other people’s names between May 2021 and August 2023.
In addition, Yoo Ah In is facing charges for smoking marijuana with acquaintances in the U.S. this past January, and for encouraging others to do the same.
At the first trial, Yoo Ah In was sentenced to one year in prison and fined 2 million KRW (~1,447 USD), along with 80 hours of drug rehabilitation education and a forfeiture of 1.54 million KRW (~1,115 USD), and was taken into custody in court. However, both Yoo and the prosecution appealed, and in the second trial, his sentence was reduced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, along with the same fine. Yoo was released from Seoul Detention Center in February following this ruling.
The appellate court stated, “Drug crimes are difficult to detect, have a high risk of recidivism, and pose significant harm to society. Given that Yoo Ah In habitually used narcotics on 181 occasions, an appropriate punishment is necessary. He exploited legal loopholes and used the names of family and acquaintances, which makes the nature of his crime particularly serious and deserving of criticism.”
However, the prosecution was dissatisfied with the appeals court ruling and filed a final appeal, leading to Yoo Ah In’s case now being in the hands of the Supreme Court.
Yoo Ah In rose to fame through dramas such as 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal' and 'Six Flying Dragons,' as well as films like 'Veteran,' 'The Throne,' and 'Voice of Silence.' Despite his legal troubles, he appeared as the lead in two major films this year, 'The Match' and 'Hi-Five,' released in March and May, respectively.
Notably, 'Hi-Five,' which is currently in theaters, has surpassed 1.52 million cumulative viewers and ranks #2 at the box office.
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