South Korean actor Yoo Ah In is preparing to return to the entertainment industry with a new film, tentatively titled Vampir. The project marks his first major acting role since his drug-related legal troubles put his career on hold. He will star in the upcoming occult mystery thriller, which is being directed by Jang Jae Hyun, best known for helming the hit film Exhuma. Yoo Ah-In’s casting was confirmed on Tuesday by local distributor NEW (Next Entertainment World).
According to The Korea Herald, Vampir follows an unnamed contract killer who is hired by a pastor to investigate pagan sects. Yoo Ah-In plays the assassin, a composed and fearless man who remains calm even in high-pressure situations. However, his perspective starts to shift as he becomes deeply involved in the mysterious case.
Yoo Ah-In’s career came to a standstill in 2023 after he was accused of repeatedly using propofol, marijuana and other controlled substances. Investigators found that he had received propofol illegally at Seoul hospitals on 181 occasions between 2020 and 2022, reportedly under the guise of undergoing cosmetic procedures. He was also accused of abusing three other medical anaesthetics, including midazolam and ketamine.
In February 2025, he was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and fined 2 million won. The Supreme Court later upheld the ruling, leaving him under probation until July 2027. An appeals court had previously reduced his punishment, saying the original sentence was excessive in light of the circumstances surrounding the offense and its aftermath.
The drug scandal affected Yoo Ah-In’s career, prompting him to step away from acting. He was replaced in Netflix’s Hellbound Season 2, while films including The Match and Hi-Five faced delays.
The film also features Lee Sung Min, Lee Jun Hyuk, Doy, Yoon Kyung Ho, and Choi Hyun Wook. Vampir marks Jang Jae Hyun’s next major project after Exhuma, which emerged as one of South Korea’s biggest box-office hits in 2024.
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