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From left, Kim Hee-won, Ahn Jae-hong, Ra Mi-ran, Lee Jae-in, Park Jin-young, and Oh Jung-se—the main cast of the film Hi.5—strike playful poses with confidence in the movie's success during a production briefing held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University branch in Seoul on May 12. / Source: Yonhap News

The upcoming film Hi.5, originally headlined by Yoo Ah-in, is drawing significant industry attention as it prepares for release—without the controversial actor at its forefront. Following the commercial success of The Match, which drew over 2.14 million viewers, Hi.5 could mark a second consecutive hit, albeit with Yoo entirely absent from the film’s promotions.

A production briefing for Hi.5 was held on the morning of May 12 at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University branch in Seoul’s Gwangjin District. Director Kang Hyoung-chul and cast members Lee Jae-in, Ahn Jae-hong, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Hee-won, Oh Jung-se, and Park Jin-young were all present. Yoo Ah-in, however, was notably missing—not only from the event but from all official promotional materials.

Set for release on May 30, Hi.5 is based on a popular webtoon of the same name. The comic-action film follows five strangers who acquire superpowers after organ transplants, leading to chaotic encounters with those who covet their abilities. Yoo Ah-in plays Ki-dong, an unemployed young man who gains the ability to visually perceive electromagnetic waves—similar to Wi-Fi signals—after receiving a corneal transplant. His character, ironically, uses the power for mostly useless and petty endeavors.

Though filming wrapped back in 2021, the film’s release faced repeated delays due to Yoo Ah-in’s high-profile drug scandal involving illegal use of controlled substances. After much postponement, the release was finally set for June 3. However, with the 21st presidential election now confirmed for that date—designated as a public holiday—and a potential long weekend spanning from June 6 (Memorial Day) to June 8 (Sunday), the distributors moved the release up to May 30 to maximize audience turnout.