Yoo Ah-in, drug deviant of his choice

“I deeply reflect on the fact that I am in this position due to an unpleasant incident and have caused great disappointment to many people who have loved me. I am sorry.”

Actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Uhm Hong-sik), who is suspected of habitual drug use, bowed his head. Although he said he was reflecting on his mistakes, he did not admit to the charges.

Yoo Ah-in attended the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Drug Crime Investigation Unit at around 9:20 am on the 27th and entered the building while remaining silent. He stood in front of reporters after completing about 12 hours of investigation. Originally, Yoo Ah-in was scheduled to appear at the police for questioning on March 24th, but the schedule for his appearance was revealed to the media, so he requested a postponement.

The Netflix movie 'The Victory' and the original series 'The Fool of the End', starring Yoo Ah-in, have also decided to temporarily postpone their releases. It was a huge fatal blow to the production team, the work, and the colleagues who worked together.

Hyun Bong-sik, who previously appeared in 'The Victory', wrote, "I feel a mixture of sadness and disappointment. I want to see the movie 'The Victory'. I really want to see it. This time, it's not a lie." Kim Young-woong, who also appeared in 'The Fool of the End', said, "How can I express it? The welcome phone call with the casting news and the heart-fluttering memories of the first filming are all about to go to waste."

Kim Young-woong said, “Above all, the numerous staff who were like grains of wheat gathered through patience and sacrifice. Also, the actors who worked together to make each character shine, and the director who was more earnest than anyone else.” He added, "Also, the writer who did not give up writing even while fighting illness, and the production company who took charge of the production and took care of the set until the end. If his wrong actions are true, he is definitely the target of criticism. I have no intention of supporting or defending him. Of course, there must be a price." did.

In addition, Kim Young-woong said, "I just can't bear it, and I'm afraid that the apocalyptic fool who was about to be born through the hard work and sacrifice of so many people will not see the light of day." “I’m thinking about whether to go,” he said.

The first question asked to Yoo Ah-in after completing the investigation was, ‘Do you admit to the charge of taking four types of drugs?’ Yoo Ah-in replied, "I told you exactly the facts that I could reveal during the investigation. I deeply reflect on the fact that I am in this position due to an unpleasant incident and have caused great disappointment to the many people who have loved me. I am sorry."

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety requested the police to investigate, saying that Yoo Ah-in administered 4,497 mL of propofol 73 times from January 4, 2021 to December 23, 2021. On February 5, the police executed a search and seizure warrant for Yoo Ah-in's body at Incheon International Airport and conducted a quick urine test. As a result of the National Institute of Forensic Science analysis, three types of narcotic substances were detected in Yoo Ah-in's hair.

Propofol, which was suspected of habitual use, as well as marijuana, which tested positive in urine, and another third drug were detected. The third drug ingredients were cocaine and ketamine. Cocaine is highly addictive and hallucinogenic, so it is called one of the three major drugs along with methamphetamine and heroin. In addition, it was confirmed that medical staff were concerned about the frequent administration of propofol in several hospitals.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Drug Crime Investigation Unit sent investigators to two locations to conduct search and seizure: Yoo Ah-in's home in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where he actually resides, and his home in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, which is his address on his resident registration. Additionally, the manager and acquaintances who were with Yoo Ah-in at the airport when he entered the country were summoned for questioning as witnesses.

When asked, 'What kind of questions were you asked during the police investigation?' Yoo Ah-in responded, "I was asked questions related to the circumstances of the incident that became known through the media. I gave my position as truthfully as I could. The investigation is not over yet, so I answered that question. “I’m cautious about telling the details directly,” he said. He added, "Personally, I think I was mired in the wrong swamp of self-rationalization by claiming that my deviant actions did not harm anyone."

Yoo Ah-in said, "I am sorry for the delay in expressing my position. It may be very uncomfortable to see me like this, but I want to use these moments as an opportunity to live healthy moments that I have not been able to live before. I am truly disappointed. “I’m sorry,” he said.

Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr