Actor Yoo Ah-in is officially set to return to the screen after a three-year hiatus, marking his comeback with a new film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jang Jae-hyun.
According to industry sources cited by Sports Chosun on December 17, Yoo Ah-in has been cast in Jang Jae-hyun’s upcoming film Vampire (working title). The project signals Yoo Ah-in’s first acting role since his legal issues halted his previously prolific career.
Vampire is described as a Korean-style vampire film that expands director Jang Jae-hyun’s signature occult universe, previously showcased in works such as The Priests, Svaha: The Sixth Finger, and Exhuma. The project has already drawn attention for its ambitious genre approach and philosophical undertones.
In a past interview with an overseas media outlet, Jang Jae-hyun revealed that the film is still in development.
“We are in the early stages of developing a Korean original story using vampires as the subject,” he said. “I was inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula, and I want to make a vampire film set against the background of the Russian Orthodox Church.”
The director also noted that the screenplay alone would take approximately two years to complete, with the full production timeline expected to span around four years.
Production for Vampire is scheduled to begin in the second half of next year. Through this project, Yoo Ah-in will officially resume acting activities roughly three years after stepping away from the industry.
Yoo Ah-in was previously indicted without detention on charges including habitual propofol use between September 2020 and March 2022, illegal prescription of sleeping medication, and marijuana use in the United States in January 2022. In 2024, he was initially sentenced to one year in prison and fined ₩2 million KRW, resulting in immediate detention. However, the Supreme Court later finalized a revised sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years, along with the same fine.
Before his hiatus, Yoo Ah-in was regarded as one of Korea’s most accomplished actors, with a filmography that includes dramas such as Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Secret Affair, and Chicago Typewriter, as well as films like Veteran, The Throne, Burning, and Voice of Silence.
His accolades include the Best Actor Award at the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Best Actor honor in the film category at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards.
As news of his return spreads, public reaction has been swift and divided, reflecting both anticipation for his acting prowess and ongoing debate surrounding his past controversies.
Sources: Naver
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