Yoo Ah In and Lee Byung Hun's 'The Match' gears up for domestic release

The Match, the K-movie that has been in limbo due to actor Yoo Ah In's drug controversy, is set for a domestic release on March 26. 

The Match tells the story of the legendary Go (baduk) players, Cho Hun Hyun (Lee Byung Hun) and Lee Chang Ho (Yoo Ah In), who go from being a teacher and student, respectively, to rivals. 

In The Match, Yoo Ah In plays the role of Lee Chang Ho, a disciple of Cho Hun Hyun who becomes his rival. Due to the controversy surrounding Yoo's drug use charges, The Match had initially postponed its release indefinitely.

Originally, The Match was set to be released on Netflix, but as its release was repeatedly delayed, it was acquired by By4m Studio, securing a theatrical release in March.

In the K-movie, Kim Kang Hoon plays young Lee Chang Ho, acting opposite Lee Byung Hun. Portraying a Go prodigy who has been called a genius since childhood, he will showcase a strong-willed character who does not back down, even in a battle with his mentor.

The adult version of Lee Chang Ho is played by Yoo Ah In, but he has been completely edited out of the trailer and other promotional materials.

Charged with habitual drug use, Yoo Ah In was sentenced to one year in prison and was immediately taken into custody in September last year. However, at his appeal trial on February 18, Seoul High Court handed down a one-year prison term with a two-year suspension, and he was released after five months in custody.

Although he is making a quick return to the big screen just a month after his release, The Match has hugely erased his presence from its promotional campaign.

Attention is now focused on how significant his role will be in the edited version of the film.

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