Squid Game Player 001 Aka Oh Young-Soo Found NOT Guilty In Indecent Assault Case, Actor Says 'My 80 Years Of Life Shattered'

Veteran South Korean actor Oh Young-Soo, globally recognised for his portrayal of Player 001 in Netflix’s megahit Squid Game, has been acquitted of indecent assault charges by an appellate court. The ruling

comes nearly two years after the allegations first surfaced and marks the end of a long, emotional legal battle for the 80-year-old star. The court’s decision overturns his previous conviction, clearing him of all charges.

Oh Young-Soo declared NOT GUILTY!

On November 11, the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division 6-1 (Appellate Division) nullified the lower court’s verdict, declaring Oh not guilty in the case involving allegations of forcibly molesting a junior theatre colleague.Oh had been accused of hugging and kissing a fellow theatre member, identified as 'A', without consent while staying in Daegu for a stage performance in August 2017. He was also alleged to have kissed the same individual on the cheek near her residence the following month.The case initially surfaced in December 2021, when the alleged victim filed a police complaint. Although authorities at first decided against prosecution, her appeal led the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office in Seongnam to reopen the investigation. Subsequently, in November 2022, prosecutors indicted Oh without detention.In the first trial, Oh was found guilty and sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program. The court had cited the credibility of the victim’s testimony. Both Oh and the prosecution appealed the ruling, with prosecutors even demanding a one-year prison sentence in the appellate stage.

Oh Young-Soo's final statement in court

During his final statement in court, Oh maintained his innocence while expressing emotional pain over the situation. He said,“At my age, I am ashamed to be standing in court. If my behavior back then was wrong and considered a crime, I will accept the consequences. But even now, I believe there was nothing in my actions that could be deemed as indecent. My 80 years of life have been shattered. It is painful and hollow. I only hope to return to my rightful place.”The appellate court, after reviewing the evidence and testimonies, overturned the previous ruling, concluding that there was insufficient proof of criminal intent or misconduct, and officially acquitted Oh Young-Soo.Oh, who became the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for his role in Squid Game, is revered as one of South Korea’s most respected performers, with a career spanning over five decades.