The South Korean actor known for his role in Squid Game plans to appeal his indecent assault conviction.
South Korean actor Oh Young Soo, sometimes known as O Yeong Su, was found guilty of sexual misconduct in South Korea. He is well-known for his role as Oh Il Nam in Squid Game, which earned him a Golden Globe when the K-drama series went global in 2021. However, he suffered a setback shortly after the series’ popularity when a lady filed a complaint against the 79-year-old in December 2021. He was indicted for indecent assault. Oh rejected the claims, but as the re-investigation began, all public advertisements including his name were removed. On March 15, 2024, the matter took a new turn when the Suwon District Court’s Seongnam branch condemned him for the same reason.
According to the previous complaint, Oh was charged with inappropriately touching a woman in Daegu and kissing her on the cheek in 2017. The South Korean actor has been ordered to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program, sentenced to zero to eight months in prison, and given two years of probation. Oh, who was charged with sexual harassment twice in 2017, has one week to file an appeal.
Also read: Is Netflix’s Queen of Tears inspired by the real-life marriage of Samsung’s heiress?
Reaction to Squid Game star Oh Young Soo’s conviction
According to South Korean media accounts, he bowed his head during the session. Shortly after the trial, he discreetly departed the courthouse, intending to appeal. Since this issue came to light, Oh has been removed from further casting recommendations. His contentious involvement in the case led to his character being cut from a forthcoming South Korean film.
Womenlink, a women’s rights organization, applauded the court’s decision to hold him accountable for his actions. “The defendant resembles other offenders of sexual violence in theatre in the past who tried to cover up their sexual violence as ‘favour’ and ‘friendship’,” the activists stated in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
Although O Yeong Su’s relationship with the survival thriller series remains strained, the show has since become embroiled in additional difficulties as a result of some of its employees’ wrongdoing. The Emmy-winning series‘ sequel is planned to premiere on Netflix sometime in 2024. Learn more about the Squid Game controversy here.