Criminal Actor Signs With Agency, Sparks Backlash

Actor Yoo Ah In, who received a suspended prison term for violations of Korea’s Narcotics Control Act and other charges, is set to make a full-fledged comeback to the entertainment industry. He has also signed with a new agency, just days after confirming his return to the big screen.

Recently, the entertainment agency BILLIONS confirmed that it had signed an exclusive contract with Yoo. In a detailed statement, the company acknowledged the concerns surrounding the actor’s past legal troubles, while also admitting that they “empathized” with his intent to establish himself as a “completely new actor,” while seeking forgiveness and understanding from the public, and rebuilding the lost trust.

The agency also mentioned that there were long, meticulous discussions between the two parties before the contract was signed, and assured that, along with reflecting on the past, the agency will ensure that the actor’s future actions don’t hinder his craft and the intended sincerity behind it.

엔터테인먼트 기업 빌리언스(BILLIONS)는 2026년 8월 21일, 배우 유아인과 전속계약을 체결했습니다.

빌리언스는 유아인의 지난 사건과 최근의 활동 재개에 따른 우려를 무겁게 인식하고 있습니다. 이에 계약에 앞서 유아인과 오랜 시간 여러 차례 진솔한 대화를 나누며, 배우로서 다시 활동을… pic.twitter.com/5VEnSAuplk

— 빌리언스 (@BILLIONS_ent_) August 21, 2026

Despite this s lengthy statement, the response, particularly from Korean netizens, has been scathing. Many felt that due to this decision, the other artists under BILLIONS might suffer unnecessarily.

빌리언스가 스스로 죽엇다
애도할것도 없엇다

— 현떠… (@hyunS2eo2) August 21, 2026

BILLIONS just killed itself. There is nothing to even mourn.

— The post above

‘지난 과오에 대한 반성’을 하는 사람이 ‘집유기간 중에’ 차기작을 찍는게 말이 되나요? 이 긴 입장문도 길게 대중을 우롱하는것 같아서 불쾌하네요. 소속사도, 배우 당사자도, 염치없는 짓을 해놓고 대충 뭉개는 모습 아주 잘 지켜보고 있습니다. 여러번 등장하는 책임이라는 단어가 참 민망하네요.

— 💜이링🍉🌹💜유령탈출! 이야! (@e_ring_ering2) August 21, 2026

Does it make sense for someone who claims to be “reflecting on past mistakes” to be filming their next project while still serving a suspended sentence? This lengthy statement feels like nothing more than a drawn-out attempt to hoodwink the public, which is frankly infuriating. I am watching closely as both the agency and the actor himself act so shamelessly and try to gloss over the situation. It is truly embarrassing to see the word “responsibility” used so frequently.

— The post above

잘하는 짓이다 이 회사에 소속된 딴 아티스트들은 안중에도 없나 정 마약남 동반자가 하고 싶으면 다 때려치우고 유아인 전용 1인 기획사를 차리시던가요 ㅋㅋㅋ

— 남개 (@wowwoopup) August 21, 2026

Well done. Do they not care at all about the other artists at this company? If they really want to be Yoo Ah In’s partner-in-crime, they should just quit everything and set up a one-man agency exclusively for him. LOL.

— The post above

• “Just go live as a commoner.”
• “BILLIONS, have you gone insane?”
• “Amazing.”
• “I am honestly so sick and tired of the Korean entertainment and film industries…”
• “Wow… honestly, the Korean film industry just deserves to go under.”

Meanwhile, Yooh An In is set to make his comeback to movies with director Jang Jae Hyun‘s upcoming project, Vampire, which is reportedly targeting a 2028 release.