‘Squid Game’ Star O Yeong-su Sexual Misconduct Conviction Overturned

Actor O Yeong-su, who starred in the first season of Netflix’s Squid Game, has been acquitted on charges of sexual misconduct after being found guilty in 2024 of inappropriately touching and kissing an unidentified actress.

According to The Chosun Daily, South Korean’s Suwon District Court overturned the conviction on the basis of insufficient evidence. “There are doubts regarding the timing of the victim’s counseling after the incident and the consistency of their statements,” the court reportedly stated. “Given the possibility that memories may have become distorted over time, an interpretation favorable to the defendant should be applied.”

In advance of his first court hearing prior to his conviction, the actor told reporters, “I’m sorry, I think I behaved badly.” Still, he maintained his innocence and vowed to appeal the conviction when it was handed down shortly after.

The judge ruled that O inappropriately hugged her, kissed her, held her hand, and made sexual comments to her. O received an eight-month suspended sentence and was ordered to attend 40 hours of classes on sexual violence. The classes factored into the court’s decision to overturn the decision.

The Chosun Daily reports that representatives for the anonymous actress stated in response, “The judiciary must responsibly consider what message this ruling sends regarding sexual violence and hierarchical structures.” In 2018, she received counseling for sexual violence and tried to put the incident behind her, but later decided to bring the complaint and demand an apology from O following the success of Squid Game.

O was not included in any subsequent seasons of Squid Game following his Golden Globe-winning appearance in Season One. The actor was removed from other roles and dropped from the cast of a stage play he was scheduled to appear in. He was also barred from appearing on the Korean Broadcasting System.