‘Squid Game’ Star O Yeong-su Sentenced After Sexual Misconduct Conviction
South Korean actor O Yeong-su, star of Netflix's 2021 smash-hit series 'Squid Game,' has been convicted of sexual misconduct on Friday.
Yeong-su, 79, must serve an eight-month suspended sentence for sexually harassing an actress in 2017, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Golden Globe winner was found guilty of inappropriately touching an actress against her wishes, including hugging her, kissing her cheek and holding her hand, the Korean Herald reports. The unwarranted kiss took place during a stroll together.
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The 50-year acting veteran publicly admitted that did hold the plaintiff's hand but denies there was any indecent assault.
In addition to his suspended sentence, he will be required to complete 40 hours in a sexual violence treatment program.
After unprecedented success of 'Squid Game,' the South Korean fan-favorite series which revolves around a secret contest of over 450 players — all of whom are indigent — risk their lives in fatal games for a chance to win a large lump sum of cash, prosecutors pressed charges against him in November 2022.
The allegations were initially brought in 2021, but authorities dropped the case after a lack of evidence. Later, after an appeal, the prosecutors reopened the investigation.
An apology was demanded of Yeong-Su, in which he complied, but said in a statement to Korean broadcaster JTBC at the time: "I just held her hand to guide the way around the lake. I apologized because [the person] said she wouldn't make a fuss about it but it doesn't mean that I admit the charges."
"The content of the victim's journal, and the content of her counseling after the incident is consistent with what happened, and her testimonies could not have been given unless she actually experienced it," the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court said in its verdict.
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The actor plans to appeal the verdict, according to local reports.
Yeong-Su portrayed Player No. 001 in 'Squid Game,' whose character died and will not return for the highly anticipated season two of the series.
'Variety' reports he became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe. He was also nominated for an Emmy in 2022 for supporting actor in a drama series.
