Yoo Ah-in Spotted Smiling at Party with Bong Joon-ho After Prison Release, Photo Deleted Amid Drug Case Backdrop

Yoo Ah-in was photographed attending a party just months after his release from prison on drug charges.
The actor was seen alongside Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho and DJ Peggy Gou.
The quickly deleted social media post ignited public speculation about his comeback.

After serving five months behind bars and being released on a suspended sentence for a extensive drug use case, actor Yoo Ah-in has made a swift and surprising return to the public eye.

The actor, whose legal name is Uhm Hong-sik, was sentenced in a high-profile trial that detailed his habitual use of propofol and other substances over several years. Initially receiving a one-year prison term in his first trial last September, his sentence was reduced on appeal in February of this year to one year in prison suspended for two years of probation, coupled with a fine of 2 million won (approximately $1,470).

The appellate court cited mitigating factors, including his struggles with sleep disorders and depression, his lack of intent to re-offend, and the fact that his five months of incarceration already served as a period of reflection. This ruling was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in July 2025, finalizing his release and allowing him to avoid further jail time.

A Swift and Star-Studded Reappearance

It didn't take long at all for Yoo Ah-in to reemerge, and his reappearance was nothing if not high-profile. Recently, photos began circulating online showing the actor looking relaxed and smiling, attending what appeared to be a private party. The images quickly ignited a firestorm of discussion across Korean online communities and social media platforms, marking his first unofficial sighting in approximately two months and signaling his tentative steps back into social circles.

The party itself was no casual gathering, it was a star-studded event that included none other than Bong Joon-ho, the Oscar-winning director of "Parasite." The photos originated from global DJ and producer Peggy Gou, who posted them to her Instagram Story with the caption, "Fav director! I love Director Bong."

The captured image showed Yoo Ah-in sitting next to the acclaimed director, wearing a black hat and flashing a bright smile alongside Gou. However, the photo vanished almost as quickly as it appeared, leading to immediate speculation and questions about whether its removal was intentional, perhaps due to the sensitive nature of Yoo Ah-in's presence.

This prompted a clarification from Peggy Gou's team, who stated to media outlets.

"It was a gathering hosted by Peggy Gou. It was a small gathering where she invited people around her and asked about their recent activities. Quite a few people, including people in the entertainment industry, attended the gathering, and director Bong Joon-ho and Yoo Ah-in were also present."

They further elaborated, "Director Bong Joon-ho attended the gathering because of his friendship with Peggy Gou, who is a close actor, and I understand that Yoo Ah-in was also invited to the gathering because he knows Peggy Gou."

It was also noted that the deletion was likely not a deliberate act but simply a function of the Instagram Story feature, which automatically removes content after 24 hours.

A Look Back at the Legal Scandal of Yoo Ah-in

The incident inevitably brings back the kilas balik of Yoo Ah-in's complex legal troubles. His charges were extensive: habitually administering the medical anesthetic propofol 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022 under the guise of sleep anesthesia for cosmetic procedures. Beyond that, he was charged with illegally purchasing approximately 1,100 tablets of sleeping pills under other people's names on 44 occasions and smoking marijuana in the United States in January 2023, where he was also accused of instigating others to smoke.

Throughout the lengthy judicial process, Yoo Ah-in was direct and consistent in his apologies.

"I would like to apologize once again for disappointing many people who have loved and cherished me with this shameful incident. I am sorry," he stated publicly.

In court, he expressed deep remorse, saying, "I deeply regret my actions and offer my sincere apologies to my family, colleagues, and fans who have been affected by my wrongdoing. I am truly sorry."

He acknowledged his mistakes without excuse, reflecting that "This incident has given me an opportunity to reflect on my life. Although it is unfortunate, I am committed to becoming a more mature and responsible person."

Yoo Ah-in return to the social scene, especially alongside respected figures like Bong Joon-ho, now opens a new chapter of public scrutiny and curiosity about whether and how he will rebuild his acting career in the wake of such a significant scandal.

Source: news.nate, Soompi, Korea JoongAng Daily, OSEN