79-year-old actor Oh Young-soo, known for his role in the popular show “Squid Game,” has been sentenced after being found guilty of sexual misconduct.
A district court judge in South Korea made the ruling on Friday, March 16. The court found Young-soo guilty of inappropriate behavior towards an actress in 2017, which included hugging her, holding her hand, and kissing her cheek. As a result, Young-soo will serve an eight-month suspended sentence and attend 40 hours of sexual violence classes.
Young-soo expressed his intention to appeal the verdict after previously denying the allegations. The charges were first brought against him in November 2022 when an actress filed a complaint accusing him of inappropriate conduct. Although the case was initially closed by the police in late 2021 due to lack of evidence, it was later reopened at the victim’s request.
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The judge noted that the woman had received counseling for sexual violence in 2018, but it was Young-soo’s fame from “Squid Game” in 2021 that prompted her to seek an apology from him.
In a statement to Korean broadcaster JTBC, Young-soo explained that he had only held the woman’s hand to guide her around a lake and apologized when she expressed discomfort, but he did not admit to the charges.
Young-soo gained international recognition for his role as Player No. 001 in “Squid Game” in 2021 and made history by winning a Golden Globe for best-supporting actor in a series, miniseries, or television film in January 2022.
“Squid Game” is a South Korean television series that became a global sensation after its release on Netflix in 2021. The show follows a group of people who are in dire financial situations and participate in a mysterious and deadly competition to win a large cash prize. The series explores themes of survival, human nature, and the consequences of greed. It gained widespread popularity for its intense storyline, compelling characters, and unexpected plot twists.
Despite the show’s renewal for a second season by Netflix, Yeong-Su will not be involved in the upcoming installment.