Yoo Ah-in’s propofol use probe leaves upcoming films and drama series in doubt for release

▲ This photo, provided by UAA, shows actor Yoo Ah-in. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in is reportedly being investigated for the alleged illegal use of an anesthetic drug and has been banned from overseas travel. With the actor going under police probe, the film industry is now focusing on the findings of the investigation as Yoo was looking forward to appearing both on the big and small screens.

The 36-year-old actor was slated to play the lead in the film “Hi.5,” as well as Netflix’s “The Match” and original drama series “Goodbye Earth.”

The South Korean film “Hi.5,” which wrapped up shooting in November of 2022, tells the story of five superpowers who encounter those who covet their powers. Director Kang Hyung-cheol, who is known for previously delivering the smash-hit movies “Sunny” (2011) and “Swing Kids” (2018), was in charge of producing the film.

The film sees Yoo as the unemployed Gi-dong, and Lee Jae-in, Ahn Jae-hong, Ra Mi-ran, and Kim Hee-won were also expected to appear in the film.

Distributor NEW said, “We are currently undergoing the second half of the work phase depending on the production schedule,” adding, “We will also be watching how things go.”

Netflix’s “The Match,” which was bound to be uploaded for international viewing in the second half of 2023, is a film that features the story of Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho, the two real-life master Go players who were one’s teacher and other’s student and also rivals. Korean veteran actor Lee Byung-hun and Yoo were slated to play the lead roles.

In the meantime, a post was uploaded on an online community arguing that the pre-eminent Go player Lee Chang-ho’s reputation may be damaged as Yoo, who is suspected of having used the drug for non-medical purposes on a habitual basis, plays the master Lee. The post urged for the film to indefinitely postpone its release date.

The actor was also set to appear in Netflix's original drama series “Goodbye Earth,” which depicts the people living their lives in a chaotic world that is facing its end with an asteroid on its course to crash the planet in 200 days. Yoo plays Ha Yoon-sang, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Biotechnology, co-starring with actress Ahn Eun-jin, who is best known for her role in “Hospital Playlist.”

Netflix said, “We are aware of the news reported through the local media outlets,” adding, “We are trying to figure out the details on this matter.”

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)

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