Yoo Ah-in to return in occult thriller “Vampir” after drug case sentence

Set to make a comeback, Yoo Ah-in appeared markedly different from before. The production team behind “Vampir,” tentative English title, announced Tuesday that the project had finalized its cast, including Yoo, Lee Sung-min, Lee Jun-hyuk, Kim Do-i, Yoon Kyung-ho and Choi Hyun-wook, and entered production this month. An occult thriller, “Vampir” follows an unidentified contract killer who tracks down a mysterious pagan group at the request of a clergyman. The film drew heightened attention as it will mark Yoo’s first big-screen project since he became embroiled in a drug-related controversy and went on hiatus. Yoo had been rumored to be joining the cast since last year. At the time, the actor’s agency distanced itself from the reports, stating that his appearance in the film had not been decided. As recently as last month, film distributor NEW said it remained unclear whether Yoo would appear in the film. But with his casting officially confirmed after a year of speculation, Yoo’s return to cinema is now set to begin with “Vampir.” In a photo from a script-reading session

After a turbulent period marked by a drug case, actor Yoo Ah-in is poised to re-enter the entertainment scene. He will portray a role in the intriguing occult thriller Vampir, with principal photography kicking off this month for a target release in 2028. With legal setbacks, including a jail sentence and fine, his probation will end in July 2027, paving the way for his career revival.

Actor Yoo Ah-in will return to the big screen in director Jang Jae-hyun's upcoming mystery occult thriller "Vampir," three years after allegations emerged that he had habitually used illegal drugs. The film's local distributor, NEW, on Tuesday announced the cast for the film, including Yoo. "Vampir" follows an unidentified contract killer who tracks down a mysterious pagan group at the request of a clergyman. The film is Jang's first project since "Exhuma" (2024), which became a box-office smash hit in Korea. Yoo was sentenced in February 2025 to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and fined 2 million won ($1,420) for habitual drug use. The Supreme Court finalized the sentence about five months later. He suspended his activities after the allegations were reported in 2023 and withdrew from the second season of Netflix's "Hellbound." The release schedules of films starring him, including "The Match" and "Hi-Five," both released in 2025, were also disrupted. In "Vampir," Yoo will play a contract killer who pursues the pagan group. The character, described as a bold man who remains