Yoo Ah-in’s ‘risk’ overshadowed as films ‘The Match’ and ‘Hi-Five’ find box office success

Posters for “The Match” and “Hi-Five,” both of which overcame concerns over Yoo Ah-in’s involvement to achieve box office success. Courtesy of BH Entertainment and NEW

Two Korean films featuring actor Yoo Ah-in — “The Match” and “Hi-Five” — have defied concerns surrounding the embattled star and emerged as box office hits, signaling that the so-called “Yoo Ah-in risk” may no longer be a decisive factor for audiences.

“The Match,” released in March, surpassed 2 million admissions by its 27th day, becoming the second-highest-grossing Korean film of 2025 so far. The movie also crossed its break-even point of 1.8 million viewers.

Meanwhile, “Hi-Five,” which opened in May, has drawn over 1 million moviegoers, placing it fifth among Korean films released this year — behind “Hitman 2,” “The Nun,” “The Match” and “Yadang: The Snitch” — despite strong competition from international blockbusters such as “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”

Both films had faced uncertain futures due to Yoo’s involvement. “The Match,” originally slated for release in 2023, was postponed amid controversy over Yoo’s drug use. “Hi-Five” was similarly delayed and began its rollout only recently.

Yoo did not participate in promotional activities for either project and was notably absent from their main posters despite playing leading roles. Nonetheless, his performance in both films has been described as solid and impactful.

Critics say the success of these projects stems from factors beyond a single actor. “Both films are ensemble-driven,” said pop culture critic Jung Deok-hyun. “In ‘The Match,’ Lee Byung-hun took center stage, while in ‘Hi-Five,’ Lee Jae-in led the narrative. Some viewers may have felt uneasy about Yoo’s presence, but the engaging stories and entertainment value helped them look past it.”

Jung added that shifts in the industry also played a role. “Unlike the past, fewer Korean films rely on a single lead actor to carry the story. This diversification helps distribute risk and mitigate the impact of controversies.”

Actor Yoo Ah-in / Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

In Korea, films tied to actors facing public backlash often face delayed or canceled releases.

Cultural critic and professor Kim Heon-sik argues that such reactions may be excessive. “There is no direct causality between an actor’s personal controversy and a film’s failure,” he said. “Films involve the work of many people beyond the lead actor. Canceling or indefinitely shelving a project punishes an entire team unfairly.”

Kim further criticized the current climate, where online abuse and boycotts often follow public scandals. “We say, ‘Hate the sin, not the sinner,’ but the tendency today is to attack the individual with relentless negativity. That’s a problem,” he said.

While actors must be held accountable for their behavior, critics say the success of “The Match” and “Hi-Five” offers some redemption, not only for Yoo, but for the many collaborators who worked on the films. For them, the box office performance brings not just relief, but a degree of vindication.

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