Oh Yeong-su, the Golden Globe-winning actor known for his role in Netflix's hit series 'Squid Game,' has been found guilty of sexual misconduct by a South Korean court. The ruling came after a district court judge in Seongnam determined that Oh had inappropriately touched an actress in 2017, which included hugging her, holding her hand, and kissing her cheek.
The 79-year-old Oh has been sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term and ordered to attend 40 hours of sexual violence classes. Despite the verdict, Oh has denied the allegations and expressed his intention to appeal the decision.
The charges against Oh were initially brought in 2022 following a complaint from an actress who accused him of inappropriate behavior. The presiding judge, Jeong Yeon-ju, noted that the actress had received counseling for sexual violence in 2018 but decided to seek an apology from Oh after the success of 'Squid Game' in 2021.
In response to the allegations, Oh admitted to apologizing to the actress but maintained his innocence, stating that he had only held her hand to guide her around a lake. He clarified that his apology was not an admission of guilt.
Oh, who portrayed Player No. 001 in 'Squid Game,' made history as the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe. He was also nominated for an Emmy in 2022 for his supporting role in a drama series. However, Oh will not be involved in the upcoming second season of 'Squid Game.'
Netflix, the streaming platform that aired the series, has not yet commented on the court's ruling. The case has sparked discussions about accountability and misconduct in the entertainment industry, highlighting the importance of addressing such issues.
