Actor Yoo Ah-in, convicted on drug charges, spotted at film preview amid comeback rumors

Actor Yoo Ah-in, 39, who received a suspended prison sentence on habitual drug use charges, has drawn attention after being spotted at the VIP preview of the film "Hope."

Yoo attended the VIP preview of "Hope," directed by Na Hong-jin, held Monday at Megabox COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It marked his first appearance at an official film-related event since drug use allegations surfaced against him in 2023.

Yoo was dressed in a black shirt and wore a cap pulled down low. He was seen greeting acquaintances with a bright smile and exchanging hugs.

Eyewitness accounts that Yoo met at the event with Jang Jae-hyun, the director of Exhuma, also drew considerable attention. Rumors have been circulating that Yoo is set to join Jang's next project, the film "Vampir." Beyond "Vampir," Yoo is also said to have received offers from a number of other series and film productions.

Speculation has recently emerged that Yoo has signed with a new agency and is preparing a comeback.

Last month, multiple outlets reported that Yoo was in talks to move to Galaxy Corporation — the agency of G-Dragon (GD) — after his exclusive contract with UAA expired. Reports also emerged that the two sides were negotiating a signing fee, with Galaxy Corporation said to have offered a minimum of 5 billion won ($3.32 million).

Yoo has been inactive for more than three years since drug allegations first emerged in early 2023. He was indicted on charges of habitually using the medical anesthetic propofol 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022; purchasing more than 1,000 tablets of psychotropic drugs, including Stilnox, under another person's name between May 2021 and August 2022; and smoking marijuana three times while traveling in Los Angeles with acquaintances in January 2023. A sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years, was finalized in July last year.