Actor O Yeong-Su, renowned for his role in the popular series “Squid Game,” has received an eight-month suspended prison sentence for sexual misconduct, as ruled by a South Korean court.
The 79-year-old was indicted in 2022 on charges of sexually assaulting a woman on two occasions. These incidents occurred five years prior while O was residing in a rural area for a theater performance in 2017, as reported by AFP citing the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court.
O intends to contest the verdict and has a seven-day window to file an appeal.
Reported by the Yonhap news agency, the allegations detailed that O embraced a woman and kissed her cheek against her will.
Additionally, O has been mandated to attend classes on sexual violence, as per reports.
Judge Jeong Yeon-ju, as reported by AFP, remarked that the victim’s account of the assault and her allegations were consistent and appeared to be genuine experiences.
Despite O’s denial, the Suwon District Court confirmed that the incidents occurred on a walking path and in front of the victim’s residence.
O garnered global recognition following his performance in “Squid Game,” a dystopian drama where participants engage in deadly renditions of traditional children’s games. The series became a massive hit on Netflix, amassing over 100 million viewers worldwide within weeks of its 2021 release.
In the subsequent year, O made history as the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Oh Il-nam, the oldest participant in the competition.
However, the controversy stemming from the accusations led to O being dropped from an upcoming film in South Korea, according to Reuters.
Following the sentencing, Womenlink, a prominent feminist organization, addressed reporters, stating, “Now we can assert that sexual violence within the theater is not a relic of the past but a present reality. The accused must cease efforts to downplay his actions, extend an apology to the victim, and acknowledge his wrongdoing.”
