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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider Yoo Ah-in to make acting comeback after drug controversy

Yoo Ah-in to make acting comeback after drug controversy

Published Aug 18, 2026 03:20 pm

At A Glance

  • Yoo Ah-in is making his acting comeback in "Vampir," a new occult thriller from "Exhuma" director Jang Jae-hyun, following his drug-use conviction.

South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in is set to return to the big screen with “Vampir,” an upcoming mystery occult thriller directed by Jang Jae-hyun, the filmmaker behind the hit 2024 horror movie “Exhuma.”

The film’s distributor, NEW, announced Tuesday that Yoo is part of the cast, marking his first new commercial film project since his drug-use controversy disrupted his career.

The film is set to begin filming this month.

“Vampir” also stars Lee Sung-min, Lee Jun-hyuk, Yoon Kyung-ho, Choi Hyun-wook and Doi.

The project is drawing attention not only because of Yoo’s comeback but also because it is Jang’s first film since “Exhuma,” which became a major box-office success in South Korea.

Jang is also known for the occult films “The Priests” and “Svaha: The Sixth Finger.”

For Yoo, however, the film represents a much more significant return.

The actor was sentenced in 2024 to one year in prison over habitual drug use. The sentence was later suspended for two years, and South Korea’s Supreme Court finalized the sentence in 2025. He was also fined 2 million won (about $1,420).

The controversy effectively put his career on hold.

He withdrew from Netflix’s “Hellbound” Season 2, with Kim Sung-cheol taking over his role, while other projects involving the actor were delayed or affected by the case.

“Vampir” now gives Yoo an opportunity to return to his primary profession, although his comeback comes while he is still serving his probation period, which runs until July 2027.

Related Tags

Yoo Ah-in Yoo Ah-in comeback Yoo Ah-in Vampir Vampir movie Vampir Korean film Jang Jae-hyun Exhuma
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