O Yeong Su, the acclaimed South Korean actor known for playing Oh Il Nam (Player 001) in Netflix’s hit series Squid Game, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty of indecent assault. Throughout the proceedings, the 80-year-old actor maintained his innocence.
The case dates back to 2017, when O Yeong Su was accused of forcibly hugging and kissing a woman near his residence. While he initially received an eight-month sentence with a two-year probation period, the court has now increased the sentence to a full year of imprisonment. The final verdict on his appeal is scheduled to be announced on June 3.
Prosecutors argued that the actor’s statements remained consistent since the allegations first surfaced, strengthening the credibility of the accusations. They requested a prison sentence to support the victim’s recovery and to send a deterrent message against such offenses.
Meanwhile, the defense challenged the ruling, contending that the case was built solely on the victim’s testimony, which they claimed lacked specificity, consistency, and logical coherence. They also pointed out that the actor had recently gained global recognition following Squid Game and had responded to the allegations formally to avoid creating controversy that could affect the show’s reputation.
Speaking in court, O Yeong Su said, “I am ashamed to be standing in court at this age. If my words or actions were wrong, I will accept the consequences. However, even upon reflection, I do not believe I committed any act that could be considered assault.”
He continued, “If my careless words and actions hurt someone in our brief acquaintance, I regret that. My 80 years of life have collapsed in an instant, and I feel empty. I just want to return to my place.”
The ruling marks a dramatic fall from grace for the veteran actor, whose performance in Squid Game brought him international acclaim and a Golden Globe award.
