A South Korean court has sentenced 80-year-old actor O Yeong-Su, famous for his role as Player 001 in Netflix’s “Squid Game,” to one year in prison.
A court found him guilty of indecent assault related to a 2017 incident, marking a shocking downfall for the Golden Globe winner. The ruling, delivered on April 3, concludes a high-profile case that has shaken South Korea.
The charges arise from two alleged assaults that took place near O’s home, where he reportedly hugged and kissed a junior theatre troupe member without her consent. Prosecutors described this behaviour as an abuse of power by a veteran with nearly 50 years in the industry, emphasizing the lasting trauma experienced by the victim. “She has lived in fear ever since,” they argued, advocating for jail time that reflects the seriousness of the offence.
During his appeal trial, O Yeong-su pleaded not guilty, but prosecution described actor as a 'veteran who sexually harassed a powerless junior member of the troupe'
Read here: https://t.co/CGIIX5XEVC#DNAUpdates | #SquidGame | #OYeongsu pic.twitter.com/AgsGOdZB01
— DNA (@dna) April 4, 2025O Yeong-Su denies the accusations, insisting they’re baseless. His lawyers slammed the case as shaky, leaning only on the victim’s “inconsistent” testimony. He bared his soul in court: “My 80 years collapsed in a moment. I feel empty.” He admitted regret for any unintended hurt but stood firm against the assault label. Initially sentenced to eight months with two years’ probation, the appeal bumped it to a full year, with a final verdict due June 3.
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The case has sparked fierce debate in South Korea. Beyond O Yeong-Su’s fame from “Squid Game,” it has fueled discussions on power imbalances in entertainment and accountability for icons. With the actor’s fate uncertain, his legacy and the industry’s norms are now facing a reckoning.
