‘Squid Game’ star O Yeong-su cleared of sexual misconduct

An appeals court in South Korea has overturned the sexual misconduct conviction of O Yeong-su, an 81-year-old actor who starred in Netflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game.” according to the Yonhap News Agency.

The Suwon District Court acquitted O on Tuesday, overturning a lower court ruling that found him guilty of sexually harassing a woman during a regional theater tour in 2017. O was accused of hugging and kissing the woman on the cheek without her consent.

The appeal court acknowledged that suspicion existed, citing the fact that the woman sought help for sexual assault six months after the alleged incident and that O had apologized to her at her request. However, the court expressed concern about the possibility of the victim’s memory being distorted over time and emphasized the need to protect the suspect’s interests if doubts persist.

The original ruling had sentenced O to a prison sentence of eight months, of which two years were suspended. Prosecutors had demanded a prison sentence of one year both in the preliminary proceedings and on appeal.

The alleged victim spoke out against the verdict that followed. “Despite today’s verdict, I will continue to speak the truth until the end,” she said in a statement released through women’s rights group Womenlink, adding that the acquittal would “not invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered.”

Womenlink criticized the ruling, saying they were “outraged by a ruling that once again obscures sexual violence in the theater world.” according to BBC News.

O gained international recognition for his performance in “Squid Game,” which won him the 2022 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role on TV. The Netflix series became a cultural phenomenon and remains one of the most watched shows on the streaming platform.

The veteran actor’s legal troubles had cast a shadow on his career following his role in the survival thriller series.