After Drug Scandal, Yoo Ah-in’s Hi.5 Finally Gets Release Date—Here’s Why He’s Skipping Press

The upcoming film Hi.5, starring Yoo Ah-in, is scheduled to be released in June after being delayed for nearly four years due to the actor’s drug scandal. According to distributor NEW,

“We’re preparing for a June release. Yoo Ah-in will not be participating in any promotional activities.”

Directed by Kang Hyoung-chul, known for hits like Scandal Makers and Sunny, Hi.5 tells the story of five strangers who suddenly gain superpowers and find themselves facing people who want to exploit those abilities. The film wrapped filming in November 2021 and features a star-studded cast including Ra Mi-ran, Ahn Jae-hong, Oh Jung-se, and Lee Jae-in, alongside Yoo.

The film's release was postponed indefinitely following Yoo Ah-in's indictment for habitual illegal drug use, including 181 injections of propofol between 2020 and 2022, and 44 instances of illegally obtaining sleeping pills under someone else’s name from 2021 to 2022.

Earlier this year, the Seoul High Court overturned a previous 1-year prison sentence and instead gave Yoo a 2-year suspended sentence, 200,000 KRW fine, 80 hours of community service, 40 hours of drug education, and a 1.54 million KRW forfeiture. He was released after five months in detention. However, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office has appealed the decision, continuing the legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, Yoo Ah-in’s other film, The Match (승부), which opened on March 26, remains in theaters and had reached 920,000 cumulative viewers by April 3, maintaining its No. 1 spot at the box office.

Meanwhile, another Yoo Ah-in film has seen massive success in the domestic box office. The Match, starring Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in, is on track to cross the 1 million ticket mark this weekend as it continues its reign at No. 1 for a second consecutive week.

The film The Match is expected to surpass 1 million viewers by the end of the weekend, solidifying its place as a box office success. On April 3, the movie drew 46,912 viewers, marking its 9th consecutive day at the top of the box office. Its current cumulative audience stands at 920,000.

Based on pre-sale data as of 6:30 AM on April 4, The Match continues to lead in advance ticket bookings with approximately 70,000 reserved seats, far outpacing the No. 2 contender Lobby, which has around 34,400 pre-sales.

Directed by Kim Hyung-joo (The Sheriff in Town, 2017), The Match dramatizes the real-life rivalry between two of Korea’s most legendary Go players—Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho. The story focuses on the psychological and emotional journey of Cho, who, after being defeated by his own protégé Lee, sets out for one final comeback.

Lee Byung-hun takes on the role of Cho Hun-hyun, while Yoo Ah-in portrays the quiet genius Lee Chang-ho. The film’s intense performances, layered storytelling, and historical resonance have captivated both fans of the game and general audiences alike.