Actor Yoo Ah-in. Yonhap News.

As rumors of a return by actor Yoo Ah-in resurface, netizens are focusing on whether the new project ‘Baempireu’ by director Jang Jae-hyun will be the work that marks his comeback.

According to TV Daily on the 30th of last month, agency Galaxy Corporation judged that a springboard for his return had been laid, including his joining director Jang Jae-hyun's new project ‘Baempireu’ (working title) following the 10-million-admissions film ‘Pamyo’, and is said to have proposed an exclusive-contract signing fee of at least $3,750,000 (5,000,000,000 KRW).

Earlier, in December last year, director Jang Jae-hyun personally denied reports that Yoo Ah-in would appear. At the time, Jang said, “It is true that I am preparing a new project tentatively titled ‘Baempireu’. However, it is completely untrue that actor Yoo Ah-in will appear.” He went on to explain that it seemed a phone call in which he asked Yoo Ah-in about his recent status had been distorted, dismissing the casting rumors.

However, once news of a possible return for Yoo Ah-in spread, netizens reacted in various ways, saying, “So was he cast after all” “You said in December it was not the case; what happened” “If not, I wish they would clearly say again that it is not so” “I am curious about director Jang and his position”.

Meanwhile, Yoo Ah-in halted activities in 2023 over allegations of drug use. He was brought to trial on charges including habitual administration of medical propofol from September 2020 to March 2022, smoking marijuana in the United States, and encouraging another person to smoke. In July last year, the Supreme Court finalized a sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years, and a fine of $1,500 (2,000,000 KRW).