Former ‘Hellbound’ star Yoo Ah-in sentenced to a year in prison over drug use
Hellbound actor Yoo Ah-in has been sentenced to a year in prison for drug use, in violation of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act, after an 11-month trial.
The 38-year-old actor, best known for his lead role in season one of Netflix’s Hellbound, was charged with the illegal use of propofol, used primarily as a medical anaesthetic, under the guise of cosmetic procedures on 181 occasions between 2020 and 2022.
Yoo was also found guilty of buying 1,100 sleeping pills with false prescriptions written for other names and smoking marijuana while in the US. Despite having been tried for coercing his accomplices to withdraw their testimonies, he was eventually not found guilty of the crime due to a lack of evidence.
As a result, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced the actor today (September 3) to a year in prison and imposed a fine of KRW2million (approximately £1,220). Per Korea JoongAng Daily, Yoo was also ordered to forfeit KRW1.54million (almost £940) and to attend 80 hours of drug rehabilitation. Prosecutors had sought a four-year prison term for the actor.
The court denied the prosecution’s suggested prison time, saying that Yoo’s prolonged depression and insomnia was what motivated him to turn to drugs. “Yoo’s honest confession of drug dependency and his efforts to overcome his dependency” were cited as mitigating factors, per Korea JoongAng Daily. Yoo was immediately taken into custody upon the ruling.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoo expressed remorse for his crimes during the trial. He reportedly told the court that despite the ruling result, “I will repay those who took care of me by becoming much healthier and more honest and by living my life as someone who can contribute to society.”
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Carmen Chin
NME
