Actor Yoo Ah In quietly parted ways with longtime agency UAA a while ago — a development revealed only now, igniting intense buzz over where he’s headed next.
On the 30th, UAA told multiple outlets that "our exclusive contract with Yoo Ah In already ended." While not specifying the exact date, they described it as "a long time ago," adding that in recent months they only provided limited support such as forwarding scripts, not full management. Yoo Ah In had been with UAA — the actor management company founded by CEO Park Hyun-jung in 2012 — for many years.
With attention laser-focused on his next chapter, JTBC reported that Yoo Ah In is in talks for an exclusive contract with Galaxy Corporation. Known as the label representing singer G-Dragon, Galaxy Corporation also houses actor Song Kang-ho, SHINee’s Taemin, singer Kim Jong Kook, and baseball player Lee Jung Hoo.
Yoo Ah In halted all activities after drug allegations surfaced in early 2023. He was indicted for allegedly receiving 181 administrations of medical propofol between September 2020 and March 2022, obtaining prescription sleeping pills under another person’s name, smoking marijuana in the U.S., and instigating others to do so. In July last year, the Supreme Court finalized a sentence of one year in prison suspended for two years, plus a fine of 2 million won. Even after the legal judgment, he remained out of the spotlight for self-reflection.
Still, comeback rumors have persisted since early this year — especially after chatter that he might join director Jang Jae-hyun’s new film following Exhuma, which sent interest surging.
Meanwhile, UAA itself is drawing attention amid rapid roster changes. Longtime "No. 1 artist" Song Hye-kyo left after her contract expired, and reports also claimed that Ryu Jun-yeol is discussing a move to Galaxy Corporation.