Yoo Ah-in drug trial: Actor was depressed, suicidal, testifies psychiatrist
What's the story
South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, known for his performances in productions such as Burning, Six Flying Dragons, and Hellbound, is currently under investigation over allegations of illegal narcotics use.
The actor attended his fifth court hearing on Tuesday at the Seoul Central District Court's 25th Criminal Division.
Amid the ongoing proceedings, Yoo's psychiatrist testified about the actor's diagnosis of severe depression.
Testimony details
He's battling depression, insomnia, heart palpitations, anxiety, concentration issues: Doctor
The psychiatrist of the Chicago Typewriter actor disclosed that Yoo had been under his care for severe depression, consulting him 46 times from June 29, 2021, to 2024.
The actor was reportedly battling chronic depression, insomnia, heart palpitations, anxiety, and concentration issues.
The doctor also revealed that Yoo had expressed thoughts of leaving film sets and contemplating death.
Legal charges
Yoo faces multiple charges of illegal drug use
Yoo is confronting five charges related to illegal drug use in South Korea, a country where recreational drug use is both illegal and heavily stigmatized.
The charges include habitual illicit consumption of propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and remimazolam.
Reports released on November 2 revealed that Yoo consumed 9.6-liter of medical-grade propofol on 181 occasions at 14 different hospitals over two years.
He tested positive for propofol in February last year.
Further allegations
Additional accusations against Yoo surfaced
In addition to the drug-related charges, Yoo has been accused of using a different person's name to acquire 567mg of midazolam, 10.7ml of ketamine, 200mg of remimazolam, and 1,150 sleeping pills in 44 separate transactions.
He is also alleged to have pressured a YouTuber into consuming marijuana after being caught smoking with friends in Los Angeles.
Despite these allegations, Yoo continues to deny all accusations related to the drug abuse scandal.
He was last seen in Netflix's Goodbye Earth.