Disgraced Actor Yoo Ah In’s Movie To Premiere Soon—Director Vilified For Latest Interview
During the press screening and conference for the upcoming K-Movie, The Match, director Kim Hyung Joo shared his honest thoughts about the troubled male lead, actor Yoo Ah In.
In February 2025, Yoo Ah In won his appeals trial and was released from prison after serving five months. Originally, he was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence and a fine of ₩2.00 million KRW (about $1,370 USD) on charges of habitual use of propofol from September 2020 to March 2022 and illegal acquisition of sleeping pills under someone else’s name between May 2021 and August 2022.
Yoo Ah In’s drug scandal postponed the premiere of The Match which had completed shooting in 2021. Recalling how excited he was to have two big-name stars cast, the director noted he was disappointed by Yoo Ah In for the irresponsible actions that ultimately cast a shadow on his work.
When casting for The Match, Lee Byung Hun confirmed first. Just having him onboard felt like I had the world. And then getting Yoo Ah In to confirm as well made me even more excited.
So… I was disappointed. I think that it was irresponsible of Yoo Ah In as a lead actor to have gotten himself involved in such a scandal. But before he is an actor, he is a member of society. And since he has since faced the consequences of his actions, I don’t think there’s anything more for me to say.
— Director Kim Hyung Joo
Now that the movie awaits its premiere, the director shared his expectations from the public. Because Yoo Ah In was a lead, he could not be edited from the plot (though he was wiped from the trailer)—and in response to a question about how the public might react to seeing the actor still so prominent in the movie, the director asked for understanding.
It felt like being trapped in a hellish tunnel. There was nothing I could do, so it was a daunting feeling. However, now that the light of release is finally visible, I feel a sense of relief. I’m deeply moved.
The choice and judgment are up to the audience, so I can’t force anything. I mean, the movie was all scratched up even before it could premiere… but I would hope that they keep an open mind and see it for what it is. That would really heal me.
— Director Kim Hyung Joo
The interview has since split the public reaction. While some expressed excitement for the movie, praising Lee Byung Hun’s acting teased in the trailer, others condemned the director for pushing for its premiere knowing that it could easily become one of the stepping stones for Yoo Ah In to make his return to the entertainment business.
- “I mean, it must have felt really unfair from the director or the production companies’ perspectives.”
- “I feel bad for the director. I’ll watch it if I have time. Sigh.“
- “If we use this exact logic of ‘it’s not so-and-so’s fault’ as an excuse, there is not a single movie or K-Drama that cannot premiere.”
- “I wonder if deepfakes could solve problems like this.”
- “Yeah, this must have been so upsetting for the director…”
- “Yeah, keep applying this logic to look past the controversies. This show us that [Kim Soo Hyun’s] Knock Off will air with no problem, too.”
- “Should’ve asked [Yoo Ah In] to compensate the movie and ditched it.”
- “Absolutely not. This movie should have been called off and Yoo Ah In should’ve compensated for the losses.”
- “Heal him, huh?”
- “Still not watching.”
The Match is set to be released on March 26, 2025 (KST). Watch the trailer here:
