Push Admin

South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in arrives for his trial on alleged drug use at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on September 3, 2024. - A high-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty on September 3, of illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term, the Yonhap news agency reported. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Article (news)


S Korean actor Yoo Ah-in sentenced to one year for propofol abuse 


Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1725347438018090324_Yoo Ah-in.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in arrives for his trial on alleged drug use at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on September 3, 2024.  Jung Yeon-je, AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in arrives for his trial on alleged drug use at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on September 3, 2024. <em>Jung Yeon-je, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>SEOUL, South Korea — High-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty Tuesday of illegal use of the anesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term, the Yonhap news agency reported.</p><p>Yoo, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, was accused of using propofol on 181 occasions between 2020 and 2022. The drugs were administered at professional clinics, under the guise of having cosmetic procedures done.</p><p>The prosecution had sought a four-year sentence for the &quot;Hellbound&quot; actor, but the Seoul Central District Court handed the 37-year-old a one-year jail term, Yonhap reported.</p><p>&quot;He is deemed guilty of all his purchases for habitual drug use,&quot; the court stated in its ruling, according to Yonhap News TV.</p><p>The court said Yoo had committed the offences &quot;in disregard of relevant regulations&quot; and displayed a &quot;lack of caution against drug substances&quot;.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IZgM7AxSIuM?&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>A doctor who administered propofol to Yoo without a proper prescription was fined 40 million won ($30,000) last month.</p><p>Propofol, while primarily used as a surgical anaesthetic, is sometimes abused recreationally, often with the involvement of medical professionals who may be willing to provide it without a legitimate clinical need.</p><p>An overdose of the drug was cited as the cause of pop star Michael Jackson&#x27;s death in 2009.</p><p>&quot;I am sorry for having caused concern to many people,&quot; Yoo was quoted as saying in court by Yonhap.</p><p>Yoo rose to stardom in the South following his debut in 2003, starring in a range of television dramas and films across genres, and becoming one of the country&#x27;s most recognizable actors.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/17/21/beliefs-clash-in-chaotic-world-of-k-drama-hellbound"><strong>READ: Beliefs clash in chaotic world of Korean series ‘Hellbound’<br/></strong></a></div><p>This trial marks the latest drug scandal to hit South Korea.</p><p>In a similar incident, K-pop star G-Dragon faced allegations of drug use and was questioned by police, but the case was dropped in November due to insufficient evidence.</p><p>Actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film &quot;Parasite&quot;, took his own life in December after being accused of illegal substance use, sparking public outrage over what many perceived as an excessive investigation by the police without substantial evidence.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/8/25/busan-film-festival-to-posthumously-honor-parasite-actor-lee-1142"><strong>READ: Busan film fest to posthumously honor &#x27;Parasite&#x27; actor Lee Sun-kyun<br/></strong></a></div><p>Lee Jae-yong, then vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, was convicted in 2021 of illegally using propofol and was fined 70 million won. He was found guilty of repeatedly receiving the anaesthetic at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul on numerous occasions over several years.</p><div><em>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the </em><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents"><em>Hallyu Corner</em></a><em> microsite.</em></div>

<p>High-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty Tuesday of illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term.</p>

High-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty Tuesday of illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term.

Korean actor Yoo Ah-in jailed for 1 year for drugs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Showbiz

Korean actor Yoo Ah-in jailed for 1 year for drugs

Agence France-Presse

Published September 03, 2024 03:11 PM PHT

|

Updated September 03, 2024 04:43 PM PHT

Read More:

K-content

Yoo Ah-in

drugs

illegal drugs

South Korea

ABSNews

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.