{
  "id": 1608428,
  "title": "Actor Yoo Ah-in to return to big screen in director Jang Jae-hyun's occult thriller",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/actor-yoo-ah-in-to-return-to-big-screen-in-director-jang-jae-hyuns",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T02:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20260818/actor-yoo-ah-in-to-return-to-big-screen-in-director-jang-jae-hyuns-occult-thriller"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Actor Yoo Ah-in is set to reprise his role in the big screen mystery thriller \"Vampir,\" directed by Jang Jae-hyun, following a three-year hiatus due to drug allegations. The film's local distributor, NEW, recently revealed the cast, which now includes Yoo Ah-in. \"Vampir\" revolves around an unnamed contract killer tasked with tracking down a secretive pagan group, as requested by a clergyman. This marks Jang Jae-hyun's first project since the blockbuster hit \"Exhuma\" in 2024.\n\nYoo Ah-in faced legal consequences for his alleged drug use in February 2025, receiving a one-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 2 million won ($1,420). The Supreme Court upheld the sentence five months later. Consequently, the actor suspended his career following the 2023 revelations and withdrew from the second season of Netflix's \"Hellbound.\" This disruption affected the release schedules of other films he was set to star in, such as \"The Match\" and \"Hi-Five,\" both of which were released in 2025.\n\nIn \"Vampir,\" Yoo Ah-in will portray a bold contract killer on a relentless pursuit of the pagan group. The character's description emphasizes his daring nature.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [
    "Yoo Ah-in returns to big screen in occult thriller Vampir.",
    "Actor faces legal consequences for drug allegations in 2025.",
    "Jang Jae-hyun directs Vampir after blockbuster Exhuma in 2024."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Yoo Ah-in's return to the big screen in Vampir marks a comeback for the actor after a career disruption due to drug allegations and legal consequences.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Actor Yoo Ah-in to return to big screen in director Jang Jae-hyun's occult thriller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/actor-yoo-ah-in-to-return-to-big-screen-in-director-jang-jae-hyuns-1610689",
        "published": "2026-08-18T01:37:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Actor Yoo Ah-in to return to big screen in director Jang Jae-hyun's occult thriller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/actor-yoo-ah-in-to-return-to-big-screen-in-director-jang-jae-hyuns-1610252",
        "published": "2026-08-18T02:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}