Ko Young-wook Stirs Controversy with Comments on Yoo Ah-in's Comeback; Public Remains Skeptical

(MHN Reporter Kim So-young) Ko Young-wook, former member of the group Rula who served time for sexual offenses against minors, has once again made waves by commenting on actor Yoo Ah-in's return to the entertainment industry.

On the 19th, Ko shared an article about Yoo's film comeback on his social media, captioning it, "Is drug use acceptable now?" He followed up with another post, stating, "Before getting worked up about weeding out outdated pro-Japanese sympathizers, shouldn't Koreans focus on maintaining basic civic standards? For heaven's sake, at least learn from the Japanese about cleaning up after yourselves."

Earlier, distribution company NEW officially announced Yoo Ah-in's casting in director Jang Jae-hyun's new film "Vampire" by releasing photos from the script reading. Yoo will play a hitman tracking a pagan cult, starring alongside Lee Sung-min and Lee Joon-hyuk. The film is set to begin production this month, aiming for a 2028 release.

Yoo Ah-in's return to the spotlight comes nearly three years after his 2023 drug scandal. He was charged with habitual use of medical propofol and marijuana consumption. Last July, the Supreme Court upheld his sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years, along with a fine of 2 million KRW (approximately $1,500 USD). Recently, Yoo has been seen at public events, including the VIP screening of the film "Hope," signaling his gradual comeback.

Ko Young-wook, infamously known as the first celebrity to wear an electronic ankle monitor, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting and molesting three minors between 2010 and 2012. Since his release, he has frequently voiced opinions on entertainment industry issues via social media. However, his actions are often perceived as lacking sincerity, and public sentiment towards him remains largely negative.

Meanwhile, Yoo Ah-in, who debuted in 2003 with the coming-of-age drama "Banolim," has built an impressive career. He has showcased his powerful acting skills in films such as "Veteran," "The Throne," "Burning," and "Voice of Silence," as well as in TV series including "Secret Affair," "Six Flying Dragons," and the Netflix hit "Hellbound," cementing his status as one of Korea's top actors.