South Korean actor O Yeong-su, known internationally for his role in the global hit series Squid Game, has been acquitted of sexual-misconduct charges by a South Korean appeals court.
The Background
In 2022, O Yeong-su was indicted for alleged sexual misconduct that took place during a regional theatre tour in 2017. He was accused of repeatedly hugging and kissing a female acquaintance without her consent, leading to a trial in which he was convicted in March 2024 and handed an eight-month prison sentence (suspended) along with a two-year probation period and mandated sexual-violence education.
The Appeal & Acquittal
On 11 November 2025, the Suwon District Court overturned the previous conviction, finding the evidence insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court cited concerns over the reliability of the accuser’s memory given the time elapsed, and noted the actor’s completion of court-ordered counselling hours on sexual violence.
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Reactions and Implications
- O Yeong-su expressed gratitude for the verdict, while the accuser maintained her belief in the truth of her account and voiced disappointment at the ruling.
- The case raises broader questions about how sexual-misconduct allegations are handled over long time frames, the impact on the entertainment industry, and issues related to memory, evidence, and justice in such cases.
- For fans of Squid Game, the ruling may reopen discussions about the actor’s future roles, his career trajectory following the scandal, and the ethics of celebrity accountability.
Why This Matters
As a high-profile figure in a globally-successful TV series, O Yeong-su’s case spotlights the intersection of celebrity, legal systems, and public debate on sexual assault. It also underscores how legal outcomes in one country can reverberate internationally — especially when tied to pop-culture phenomena.
