‘Squid Game’ star O Yeong-Su arrested for 'touching woman' inappropiately, actor denies charges
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: The Golden Globe winner and ‘Squid Game’ star O Yeong-Su has been accused of allegedly touching a woman inappropriately. The 78-year-old actor was charged by the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Prosecutor’s Office in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, on Thursday, November 24.
The office reportedly reopened a complaint by an unnamed woman claiming that Yeong touched her inappropriately in mid-2017. The report by the office stated that the alleged victim’s complaint was brought to authorities in December 2021 but they closed the case in April 2022 without any arrest. Following a re-appeal by the victim earlier this month, the prosecutor's office reopened the case and launched an investigation into the matter, Daily Mail reported, citing Yonhap news agency.
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Arresting the actor, the prosecution said, they have discovered evidence against him and will proceed with a trial. However, 'The Great Queen Seondeok' actor has refuted all the allegations brought against him. "I just held her hand to guide the way around the lake. I apologized because [the person] said she wouldn’t make a fuss about it but it doesn’t mean that I admit the charges." The translated statement by the actor read, according to CBR.
Yeong is a renowned South Korean actor, who carved a niche for himself in the industry with his method acting and theater work. The actor garnered global recognition after portraying the role of Oh Il-name in the Netflix hit ‘Squid Game’. The sensational series saw cash-strapped contestants play childhood games with deadly consequences in a bid to win 45.6 billion won. The role helped Yeong bag South Korea's first Golden Globe award in January this year.
Even South Korean President Moon Jae-in appreciated Yeong’s acting and congratulated him saying, "Squid Game gave hope for humanity despite its gloomy depiction of society.”
Born in 1944, in what is now a North Korean border town of Kaepung, O has played a number of tremendous supporting roles in film and television, including in 'Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring' released in 2003. The drama was helmed by award-winning director Kim Ki-Duk. He was also seen flaunting his acting skills in a blockbuster titled 'The Great Queen Seondeok.'
During a TV appearance in October, the actor revealed that he chose to join 'Squid Game' out of appreciation for the director's insight into social irregularities. "Our society goes by as if only No. 1 survives. No. 2 lost to No. 1, but beat No. 3. After all, everybody is a winner," he said at the time.