Yoo Ah-in to skip promotions for 'The Match,' cut from official trailer

By KTimes

Actor Yoo Ah-in, who was recently released on probation after receiving a suspended sentence in his drug-related trial, will not participate in promoting his upcoming film "The Match," set for release next month.

The film’s official trailer excludes any clear footage of him, with only his back appearing in select scenes.

An official from the film's distribution team said, "Yoo Ah-in will not take part in any promotional activities, including press screenings, media conferences or interviews."

The movie, starring Lee Byung-hun as legendary go, or "baduk" in Korean, master Cho Hun-hyun, follows the real-life rivalry between Cho and his protege-turned-rival Lee Chang-ho.

Originally scheduled for release in 2023, the film was postponed following Yoo’s indictment on charges of habitual drug use.

The distributor recently announced a new release date of March 26, officially kicking off promotional efforts. However, the film’s trailer notably omits any clear shots of Yoo’s face.

Yoo was initially sentenced to one year in prison in September last year and taken into custody. However, in his second trial, he received a one-year prison term with a two-year suspended sentence and was released after five months of detention.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.