Facing controversy over drug allegations and struggling to schedule public events, “Goodbye Earth,” starring actor Yoo Ah In, will be unveiled after nearly a year.
Based on the novel by Japanese author Isaka Kotaro, the Netflix series depicts the story of people living together until the end despite the chaos caused by the impending collision of Earth and an asteroid.
Director Kim Jin Min, known for his delicate and skilled directing in works such as “Extracurricular” and “My Name,” joined forces with writer Jung Sung Joo, who exhibited sharp depictions of reality and solid storytelling in works like “Secret Love Affair” and “Heard It Through the Grapevine.” Yoo Ah In, Han Ye Ri, Kim Yoon Hye, and other actors have garnered attention even before the release.
However, the drama faced setbacks when Yoo Ah In became embroiled in a drug scandal last year, causing delays in its release. Yoo Ah In is currently under trial for allegations of taking medical narcotics 181 times while receiving cosmetic procedures under anesthesia from September 2020 to March 2022 in various hospitals in Seoul. He is also accused of illegally obtaining sleeping pills under someone else’s name. While Yoo Ah In partially admitted to allegations of marijuana and propofol use, he denies charges related to marijuana smoking instruction and evidence tampering.
Although the verdict has not yet been released, Yoo Ah In faces difficulties in editing due to his significant role in the drama. As a result, everyone focused on his drug scandal.
After careful consideration, “Goodbye Earth” is set to be released on the 26th of April. Netflix and the “Goodbye Earth” team, who removed Yoo Ah In’s presence in the teaser, poster, and other promotional materials, explained at the production presentation on the 19th that they had “adjusted Yoo Ah In’s screen time” to minimize discomfort.
Director Kim Jin Min expressed, “I didn’t think this work wouldn’t be released. There was no reason for it not to. If this work was not released, I would have thought it was strange. It is not a work that deserves criticism. We made it without any shame. This work belongs to everyone, including all the actors, production staff, and viewers. We have embraced the fate of being able to work together.”
Regarding Yoo Ah In’s screen time in “Goodbye Earth,” he explained, “The issue arose when I had edited about three parts. At first, I thought it was not a complicated situation and it would pass, but it did not go as I expected.” He further stated, “I had an obligation to minimize viewers’ discomfort, so I edited it considering that it would take my time and effort. I also made adjustments to the screen time. With four important characters, the story couldn’t proceed excluding one character, so I couldn’t reveal everything. I ask for your understanding in this regard.”
As he mentioned, although the work cannot be attributed to a single person, Netflix and “Goodbye Earth” ultimately became the platform for Yoo Ah In’s comeback.
Director Kim previously said about “Goodbye Earth,” “Rather than depicting the struggle for survival within a dystopia, it is a work that asks how we will live when we face the end. I was ambitious in directing it, thinking that everyone appearing in the drama is a hero. We have seen many stories of heroes saving the Earth, but isn’t the real hero the one who chooses to save themselves or stay with the people they were with until the end? The stories of each character in the drama are very meaningful and deserve respect.”
What do you think of the decision to edit out Yoo Ah In From “Goodbye Earth” as much as possible?
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