Actor Yoo Ah-in is finally making a comeback.
On the 21st, agency Billions said through its official social media accounts, "We have signed an exclusive contract with actor Yoo Ah-in."
Billions said in a statement that before signing an exclusive contract with Yoo Ah-in, it had long, sincere conversations and deeply considered the responsibilities and attitudes required for the actor to resume activities, as well as the direction to take going forward. It said it also recognizes Yoo Ah-in's drug case and his recent resumption of activities as a serious matter.
The agency emphasized that the most important consideration during Yoo Ah-in's exclusive contract process was not better conditions but a sincere partner who would walk the heavy step of seeking public forgiveness and understanding and rebuilding trust together.
Billions said, "We will not treat past time lightly or try to rush past it," and "We will take current concerns seriously, humbly listen to criticism from the public and the media, and approach necessary communication with a humble attitude." Billions' statement announcing Yoo Ah-in's joining is closer to a letter of repentance than a simple contract announcement. Public reaction is accordingly far from easy.
Last July the Supreme Court confirmed a sentence of one year in prison with two years' probation and a fine of 2 million won for Yoo Ah-in. Previously, Yoo Ah-in received a prison sentence and was even detained at the first trial, but the sentence was suspended at the appellate and final trials. Accordingly, Yoo Ah-in's probation period runs until July 2027.
But before the end of the probation period, Yoo Ah-in's return came sooner. Yoo Ah-in is joining director Jang Jae-hyun's new work Vampir, which had been rumored since last year. Having attended the VIP screening of director Jang Jae-hyun's film HOPE together and effectively confirming his appearance, he recently finished script readings, and an official press release announcing his participation was also distributed.
Even though Yoo Ah-in's return has already been confirmed, the agency's repentant-sounding statement is unlikely to resonate with the public. The public was not convinced of the necessity for him to return specifically in Vampir, so can the agency's promises to "take concerns seriously," "humbly listen to criticism," and "approach communication with humility" be conveyed?
While the agency says it will not treat past time lightly and Yoo Ah-in announced his return before his probation ended, Yoo Ah-in's comeback is arriving with awkwardness rather than welcome for the public.
Fans of actors affiliated with the agency also reacted sharply. With more than 40 actors belonging to Billions, when news of Yoo Ah-in's recruitment emerged, responses included "Take care of the actors you already have," "Is there no one else to recruit," "Please take good care of the artists you already have," and "It should be people like Yoo Ah-in who self-reflect... I'm surprised it's an agency contract."
[Photo] OSEN DB, NEW
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