The 80-year-old South Korean actor O Yeong Su received a one-year prison sentence due to his conviction of indecent assault after gaining worldwide fame for playing Oh Il Nam (Player 001) in Squid Game on Netflix. The court ruling creates a major and contested situation for the South Korean entertainment sector as it raises concerns about excessive power use and responsibility standards.
Allegations Stem from 2017 Incident
The circumstances of this case emerged in 2017 when O Yeong Su reportedly kissed and hugged an unwilling female employee at his residence. The junior theatre troupe member reported two instances of sexual harassment by O Yeong Su, which damaged her emotionally for many years.
Prosecutors described the court case by emphasizing O’s strong position in the theatre sector since he had maintained control for multiple decades. Using his experience in theater, he exploited a junior female colleague by taking advantage of her because of his seniority, which caused enduring emotional damage to both her working and personal life. The victim faces ongoing anxiety and distress since these sexual harassment events occurred.
O Yeong Su Denies Charges, Appeals Verdict
O Yeong Su has maintained his innocence since his guilty conviction by refusing to accept the accusations. His defense team attacked the prosecutor’s case because they found the evidence to be dependent solely upon testimony that the lawyers described as indistinct and conflicted, without showing any actual physical proof. The public disclosure of the events after Black Widow achieved global fame led to concerns about damage to her reputation. O Yeong Su delivered a plea of deep regret during his court speech by saying:
“I am ashamed to be standing in court at this age. If my words or actions were wrong, I will accept the consequences. But I do not believe I committed an assault.” He added, “My 80 years of life have collapsed in an instant. I just want to return to my place.”
From Probation to Prison: Appeal Trial Changes Outcome
The court delivered a first decision of eight months imprisonment alongside two years under probation to O Yeong Su. The court raised the sentence from eight months to one complete year after an appeal process. The expected June 3 court decision will deliver the final ruling, which maintains suspense about the conclusion of this high-profile case. South Korean society has engaged in passionate discussions that examine this legal case through various perspectives as it demonstrates both the decline of a respected actor together with structural influences within the entertainment business. This case marks a significant change toward how people with public status will be responsible for their actions beyond age or notoriety.
