Actor Yoo Ah In, who is appealing his 12-month prison sentence for violating the Narcotics Control Act, is facing harsh backlash after the details of his second trial were revealed. Many believe his defense plea relied on inappropriate justifications, leaving the public outraged.

Yoo Ah In’s Defense in the Appeal Plea

On November 19, 2024 (KST), Yoo Ah In appeared in court for the second trial of his appeals case. The actor’s defense argued that the 12-month sentence handed down in September was too severe. Yoo’s legal representatives emphasized:

“Yoo Ah In, in his efforts to bring happiness to the public, neglected to take good care of himself, leading to a severe impact on his career as an actor. He will now have to live with the harsh backlash from the public. The consequences he faces for his wrong choices, made deep in his depression, are far greater than those that non-celebrities would endure. We ask for the court’s understanding.”

The plea also highlighted the passing of Yoo Ah In’s father, implying that his guilt and the grief of losing a parent are “greater punishments” than the prison sentence.

“Please consider the fact that Yoo Ah In must also live with the guilt that his father’s illness worsened amid the news of his wrongdoings, which soon led to the passing of his father. There can be no greater punishment than this.”

Additionally, the defense pointed to Yoo Ah In’s charitable contributions, such as donating his earnings to vulnerable groups, as evidence of his positive influence on society.

Public Backlash Against Yoo Ah In’s Appeal

The details of Yoo Ah In’s defense strategy left many netizens stunned, with hundreds of comments criticizing him for invoking his late father to gain leniency. Korean internet users did not hold back, sharing their disapproval on online forums:

• “Did he bring his late father into this, for real?”
• “Shouldn’t have done the drugs, then.”
• “He broke his father’s heart the minute he put his hands on drugs. No?”
• “Losing a parent doesn’t excuse a crime. What is he talking about?”
• “Using all the wrong excuses…”
• “I find it so baffling that he would go as far to use his own late father as an excuse in a plea for a shorter sentence. I’m ashamed that I ever thought he was a good person.”
• “I can’t believe he’s using his late father as an excuse… What a disgraceful thing to do to the deceased.”
• “He should have made better choices.”
• “I don’t know what his father’s passing has to do with the sentence at all.”

Another series of comments highlighted the general sentiment of disappointment and anger:

• “Using his late father as an excuse after committing a crime…”
• “He’s the one who broke his father’s heart.”
• “What is he talking about? He committed a crime. How dare he sell his deceased father like this?”
• “A sense of guilt isn’t punishment. He needs a proper sentence.”
• “Sigh.”
• “Using the death of his father as an excuse…?”
• “Wow, unbelievable.”
• “He needs a longer sentence for dishonoring his own father like this.”

Background on Yoo Ah In’s Legal Troubles

Yoo Ah In was charged in October 2023 for the habitual use of medical propofol—181 instances between September 2020 and March 2022 at hospitals in Seoul. Since the news of his narcotics abuse broke, public opinion of the actor has plummeted. His previous celebrity status has done little to shield him from scrutiny, with even his prison diet causing outrage among netizens.

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Source: SpoTV News and theqoo