Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, 37, known for the zombie film “#Alive,” “Seoul Vibe” and “Hellbound,” was sentenced by a Seoul court to one year in prison for habitual drug use and was immediately taken into custody.
On Sept. 3, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoo Ah-in, who was present during the hearing, to one year in prison and a fine of two million won (about $1,439).
Korean actor Yoo Ah-in at the Seoul courthouse on Sept. 3 (Screenshot from SBS News video on YouTube)
The court also ordered him to forfeit 1.54 million ($1,150) and complete a drug rehabilitation program for 80 hours.
On his detention, the judge said, “There is a risk of flight,” Korean media reported.
Last October, Yoo Ah-in was indicted for habitually administering propofol 181 times under the pretext of general anesthesia for cosmetic procedures at hospitals in Seoul from September 2020 and March 2022.
Propofol is a “psychotropic drug used to induce and maintain the general anesthetic state,” according to Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
The actor was investigated for administering other types of narcotics including midazolam, ketamine, and remimazolam.
He was also accused of illegally purchasing approximately 1,100 sleeping pills under other people's names on 44 occasions between May 2021 and August 2022.
In January this year, he was accused of smoking marijuana in Los Angeles with four people, including his accomplice, a certain Choi.
"Considering the period, number of times, method, and amount of the crime, severe punishment is inevitable. In addition to relying on sleeping pills, he also smoked marijuana, showing a lack of awareness of drugs and showing disregard for related regulations," the court stated.
After sentencing, the judge asked Yoo Ah-in, "Do you have any final words?" He replied, "I apologize for causing concern and worry to the public."
The court acquitted Yoo Ah-in from other charges including receiving marijuana, instructing people to smoke marijuana and instructing the destruction of evidence.
Yoo Ah-in’s accomplice, Choi, was found guilty of smoking marijuana on three occasions with Yoo Ah-in and was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years, and 40 hours of drug rehabilitation program attendance.