Up Next

Squid Game star O Yeong-su has been found guilty of sexual assault.

The South Korean actor, 79, is best known for playing Oh Il-nam, an elderly man participating in the deadly game in an effort to win a fortune.

The role saw him win a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2022.

However, this week he narrowly avoided being sent to prison for eight years.

Two years ago it was reported he would face trial after being accused of touching a woman inappropriately in 2017, with a complaint filed in December 2021.

He’s now been found guilty of the charges by the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court.

Oh Yeong-su in Squid Game.
He is best known for his role in the Netflix series Squid Game (Picture: Netflix)

The actor was sentenced to eight years of prison, suspended for two years, and 40 hours of sexual violence education, as reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily and The Korea Herald, per NME.

The court said that ‘the contents of the victim’s diary and her records from counselling largely correspond to the case, and the victim’s claims are consistent and appear to be statements that could not have been made without actual experience’.

The victim, who has not been identified, filed charges against O in December 2021, accusing the actor of ‘hugging her while on a walking trail and kissing her on the cheek’ in 2017, according to The Korea Herald.

The news outlet also reported that the Squid Game actor, who has long denied the charges, plans to appeal the case.

In 2022, O became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Squid Game.

O Yeong-su at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022.
It has been reported that he plans on appealing the verdict (Picture: Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock for PEOPLE)

He also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

Beginning his career as part of a theatre crew called The Square, the actor then went on to work in National Theater Company of Korea.

He performed in stage productions of plays including Goethe’s Faust, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Merchant of Venice.

Hot Property Picks from Metro

On television, he has featured in shows such as God of War and Chocolate, while his film credits include A Little Monk and The Soul Guardians.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Reality TV star facing jail after admitting to sexually abusing teenage boy

MORE : Andrew Tate has been arrested again – but will the controversial influencer finally be jailed?