Squid Game Actor O Yeong-su Found Guilty of Sexual Misconduct

Seoul — Acclaimed South Korean actor Oh Young-soo, known for his role in the globally popular series “Squid Game,” has been convicted of sexual misconduct by the Suwon District Court, following incidents dating back to 2017.

Oh Young-soo, aged 79, made history in 2022 as the first South Korean to clinch a prestigious Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series for his portrayal of the enigmatic character Oh II-nam in the hit Netflix show, “Squid Game.”

The Suwon court sentenced Oh to an eight-month suspended prison term, coupled with a mandate to undertake a 40-hour course on sexual violence prevention, in light of the charges brought against him by an unidentified woman.

During the court proceedings, Judge Jeong Yeon-ju remarked that the victim’s testimony was consistent and credible, indicating experiences that she could not have fabricated.

The alleged instances of sexual misconduct by Oh occurred while he was in a rural region for a theatrical performance, with incidents taking place on a walking path and in front of the victim’s residence, as per the court documents.

“Squid Game,” a dark and gripping series that depicts a grim reality where marginalized individuals are coerced into deadly versions of childhood games, garnered immense global recognition on Netflix shortly after its release, pulling in a staggering 111 million viewers within four weeks.

The phenomenal success of “Squid Game” further solidified South Korea‘s growing impact on the international entertainment scene, following in the footsteps of K-pop sensation BTS and the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”

Notably, several prominent figures in South Korea’s film industry, such as the late filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun, have faced allegations of sexual misconduct in recent times, underscoring the need for greater awareness and accountability within the industry.