'Squid Game' Actor Oh Young-Soo, 79, Convicted Of Sexual Assault

Oh Young-Soo, known for his role as a contestant in the popular Netflix series, "Squid Game," received a suspended sentence after being convicted of indecent assault.

On Friday, in a courtroom situated in Seongnam, a city located southeast of Seoul, South Korea, Oh was officially convicted of indecent assault.

The district court judge presiding over the case found the actor guilty of engaging in inappropriate behavior towards an actress, which included hugging her without consent, holding her hand, and kissing her cheek. These incidents were reported to have occurred in the year 2017.

Oh, 79, received an eight-month suspended sentence and was mandated to attend 40 hours of sexual violence education classes. Despite publicly denying the charge, he expressed his intention to appeal the verdict during statements to reporters.

Prosecutors initiated charges against Oh in 2022 following a complaint from an unnamed actress, alleging inappropriate physical contact. The prosecution argued that between August and September 2017, he engaged in various unwelcome actions, including hugging the woman, holding her hand, kissing her cheek, and entering her rented room, where he allegedly made suggestive sexual remarks, as detailed by Judge Jeong Yeon-ju.

According to Judge Jeong, the actress had confided in others about her experiences at the time and documented them in her diary. Additionally, she sought sexual violence counseling in March 2018 to cope with the distress caused by the incidents.

Despite attempts to suppress the memories for a period, the surge in popularity of "Squid Game" in 2021 prompted the woman to confront Oh and demand an apology for his actions. Subsequently, he issued an apology in response to her request, as noted by the judge.

The judge disclosed that Oh refuted the allegation of kissing the woman, asserting that he had simply held her hand to assist her with carrying items. Furthermore, the actor emphasized that his apology to her did not imply an acknowledgment of guilt.

Additionally, Oh's legal representatives contended that the woman's account was inconsistent. However, the judge ultimately deemed the woman's accusations to be credible despite these arguments.

Just a few months before facing charges, Oh achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe award.

He was recognized for his portrayal of Player No. 001 in "Squid Game," a dystopian drama depicting individuals risking their lives in a clandestine competition with hopes of securing a substantial fortune.

In addition to his Golden Globe win, Oh received a nomination for a 2022 Emmy Award for his outstanding performance in series, which remains the most-watched show in Netflix history. His character, Oh Il-Nam, is among the numerous contestants competing for the top spot in a deadly game where only the victor survives, earning a life-altering prize. Throughout the series, Oh Il-nam conceals certain truths about his identity from fellow participants, unraveling these mysteries only at the game's conclusion.

With a career spanning over five decades and boasting appearances in more than 200 plays, Oh has garnered acclaim as one of South Korea's most distinguished stage actors, earning numerous accolades in theater. However, the sexual misconduct charge inflicted significant damage to his professional trajectory long before the court's verdict.

Notably, Oh was conspicuously absent from the cast lineup for Season 2 of "Squid Game," slated for release this year. Furthermore, the South Korean Culture Ministry ceased broadcasting a government commercial featuring him in response to the allegations.

Oh's absence extends to the upcoming film "About Family" by South Korean director Woo-seok Yang, with his scenes being replaced and refilmed with actor Lee Soon-Jae, as confirmed by Lotte Entertainment. Additionally, he was removed from the cast of the South Korean play "Love Letter" last year.

In 2021, Oh's accuser lodged a complaint against him, leading to a police inquiry in Seongnam. Although prosecutors initially dismissed the case, the woman appealed for its reopening, resulting in the actor being charged following the accumulation of additional evidence.

Addressing reporters as he entered his initial court hearing in February 2023, Oh expressed remorse, stating, "I am sorry. I think I behaved badly." However, he maintained his denial of the charge throughout the proceedings.

The charge of indecent assault carried the possibility of a maximum prison term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 15 million South Korean won, approximately $11,400, as reported by The New York Times. However, prosecutors announced last month their intention to pursue a one-year sentence and an employment prohibition if Oh were found guilty.