Squid Game actor Oh Yeong-Su receives sentence in sexual misconduct case

Oh Yeong-su, the breakout star from Squid Game, has been found guilty of sexual misconduct in Seoul, South Korea. The 79-year-old actor will face a suspended prison sentence of up to 8 months, with a two-year probation period. This verdict stems from a 2017 incident in which he allegedly hugged and kissed a woman on the cheek without her consent.

Oh is also mandated to participate in a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program, as confirmed by Reuters. Despite his conviction on Friday, Oh denied any wrongdoing and stated his intention to appeal the verdict, as reported by Deadline.

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Oh Yeong-su's Case Timeline and Response

Oh was first charged in November 2022 in connection with the case. In an interview with Korean broadcaster JTBC, he admitted to having contact with the woman, stating that he was merely guiding her by holding her hand. He claimed that he apologized because she indicated that she would not object to receiving an apology.

In the trial, Judge Jeong Yeon-ju referenced the woman’s diary as evidence, noting that her accounts were consistent and seemed to reflect experiences one could only express if they had genuinely lived through them.

Golden Globe Triumph and Legal Setback

Oh Yeong-su gained acclaim for his portrayal of Oh Il-nam, the primary antagonist in the widely-watched Netflix series. This performance led to his first-ever nomination for a Golden Globe, a significant milestone in his career. At the age of 77, he made history by becoming the first Korean actor to win the prestigious award.

In addition to Oh's worldwide recognition for his role, Squid Game propelled Netflix to new heights as its top series. It quickly became the most-streamed show on Netflix, amassing 111 million views shortly after its release. A second season has already been confirmed, with Netflix hinting at its arrival sometime later this year.

With over 50 years of acting experience, Oh has established himself as a seasoned performer. His body of work includes notable performances such as portraying King Lear in the titular play and appearing in the South Korean TV series Chocolate.

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