In December 2025, the South Korean entertainment industry finds itself embroiled in a polarizing debate regarding the future of actor Yoo Ah-in.
Following a high-profile drug scandal that dominated headlines for over two years, news of potential new project offers has reignited public anger.
While some industry insiders appear willing to welcome the talented actor back, a significant portion of the public remains “frosty,” labeling any talk of a comeback as an “insult” to social and moral standards.
The “Vampyr” Casting Rumors: A Catalyst for Outrage
The latest wave of controversy centers on rumors that Yoo Ah-in is in talks to star in Vampyr, the upcoming occult film from acclaimed director Jang Jae-hyun.
Known for the 2024 blockbuster Exhuma, Jang is a master of the genre, and the possibility of him collaborating with Yoo has drawn intense scrutiny.
On December 17, 2025, representatives for both the production company and Yoo Ah-in’s agency, United Artist Agency (UAA), stated that “no decision has been made.”
Yoo Ah-in (Credit: YouTube)
However, they did not deny that discussions were ongoing, leading many to interpret this as a tentative step toward a full-fledged return.
Netizens quickly flooded online communities with criticism, questioning why a director of Jang’s stature would risk his reputation by casting a controversial figure so soon after his legal battles.
“Light-Speed Comeback” and the Release of Delayed Projects
Fueling the fire is the fact that several of Yoo Ah-in’s unreleased projects finally hit theaters and streaming platforms in 2025.
- The Match (released March 2025)
- Hi.5 (released May 2025)
Because these films were shot before his scandal, producers decided to release them without editing out Yoo’s scenes, citing the impossibility of removing a lead actor.
The commercial success of these films—with The Match surpassing 1.8 million viewers—has been labeled by critics as a “light-speed comeback.”
Many argue that the actor is benefiting from “business as usual” while theoretically being in a period of “self-reflection.”
Public Sentiment vs. Industry Influence
The divide between the industry and the public became even more apparent after Yoo Ah-in was spotted at a private gathering with Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho.
A photo shared by DJ Peggy Gou showed the actor smiling alongside the Parasite director, sparking rumors that major industry figures are still supportive of his career.
While some fans maintain that Yoo’s “undeniable talent” is a shame to waste, the prevailing sentiment on Korean web portals is one of “fury.” Common refrains among netizens include:
“Casting him is an insult to the public.” “Where is the entertainment industry’s moral standard?” “A suspended sentence is still a guilty verdict.”
Current Legal Standing and Future Outlook
As of late 2025, Yoo Ah-in’s legal saga has technically concluded. The Supreme Court of Korea recently upheld a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, for habitual drug use involving substances such as propofol, ketamine, and midazolam.
Under the terms of his probation, he will not serve jail time unless he commits another offense.
Despite being legally “free,” the court of public opinion remains a much tougher hurdle. Whether Yoo Ah-in can successfully navigate this “redemption arc” depends on his ability to prove genuine remorse in a culture that increasingly demands high moral accountability from its stars.
For now, the “noise” surrounding a single casting rumor suggests that his road to full reinstatement in the industry will be anything but smooth.
The K-pop landscape shifted once again on December 15, 2025, as MODHAUS officially announced the departure of HwangBo MinGyeol from the boy group idntt.
The news marks the definitive end of his journey with both the group and the agency, coming just months after the debut of the group’s first sub-unit.
The Official Announcement of Contract Termination
In an official statement released in English, MODHAUS informed the public that HwangBo MinGyeol’s exclusive contract with the company has been terminated.
The agency clarified that moving forward, both the main group, idntt, and its sub-unit, unevermet, will proceed with their scheduled activities using the remaining members.
The agency expressed a formal apology to the fans for the sudden and distressing nature of the news.
While the statement thanked fans for the support they had shown the artist until now, it also emphasized the company’s commitment to providing a stable environment for the remaining members to continue their careers.
A Troubled Debut Timeline
The departure follows a period of significant uncertainty surrounding HwangBo MinGyeol. He was originally slated to be a key member of the sub-unit unevermet, which was intended to debut as an eight-member ensemble.
However, his career hit a major roadblock in July 2025—just weeks before the sub-unit’s launch—when his activities were abruptly suspended.
The suspension was triggered by unspecified allegations made against him at the time.
Due to the legal or internal investigations that followed, unevermet was forced to debut as a seven-member group in August 2025.
This permanent departure confirms that the issues leading to his initial suspension were not resolved in a manner that allowed for his return to the idol industry under MODHAUS.
Impact on idntt and the Sub-Unit Structure
idntt is a unique boy group project under MODHAUS (the agency also behind the girl group tripleS), known for its rotational sub-unit system.
The removal of a member so early in the group’s lifecycle presents a challenge to the “complete” vision originally planned for the project.
The sub-unit unevermet will continue as a seven-member group, and the agency has already begun shifting focus toward future units, such as yesweare.
The “OT15” (One True 15) teasers recently released by the agency now officially represent the group’s new total headcount, effectively erasing HwangBo MinGyeol’s place in the lineup.
Looking Toward the Future
While the agency requested “continued support” for HwangBo MinGyeol as he moves onto a “new path,” it is currently unclear if he will remain in the entertainment industry or if the allegations that led to his departure will impact his future prospects.
For the fans of idntt, the news brings a sense of closure to a months-long hiatus that had left many questioning the status of the eighth member.
The group’s current members and the agency now face the task of maintaining momentum and reassuring their fanbase as they navigate their upcoming promotions and unit releases without their former teammate.
