O Yeong-su: 'Squid Game' star replaced after sentencing for misconduct with a woman

Given the scandal behind iconic 'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su, he has been replaced by another veteran actor in the K-entertainment industry, Lee Soon-jae, to play his character. Here's a recap of the scandal that got O Yeong-su switched out in his latest film project and facing time in jail.

'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su has been convicted on charges of se xu al misconduct. Deadline reports he could get up to eight months in Korean prison because he "hugged and kissed a woman on the cheek against her wishes."

One of South Korea's best-known TV series, 'Squid Game' conquered Netflix audiences all over the world in 2021. It describes a secret competition in which hundreds of civilians compete against one another and risk their lives in a series of games to win a cash prize.

Image: Netflix

Oh Il-nam, played by O Yeong-su, appears to be just another game participant and, in fact, not a very promising one due to his age.

[Spoiler alert]

Eventually, however, he turns out to be the series' main antagonist and the host of the 'Squid Game'.

Image: Netflix

O Yeong-su’s work in ‘Squid Game’ was stellar and it won him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in 2022.

According to Channel News Asia, O Yeong-su made history because he was "the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor".

Apart from the ‘Squid Game’ series, O Yeong-su has mostly worked in theatre. He's been known for Shakespeare plays since 1963 and often gets roles as a monk on film and television.

Given his sudden rise to fame and great reputation due to ‘Squid Game’, Variety reports that it was shocking for many fans when accusations of se xu al misconduct against O Yeong-su came to light. The incidents were said to have occurred in 2017.

Image: Netflix

Variety notes that O Yeong-su was reported by the victim of inappropriately touching her on two occasions in 2017. The investigation into the incidents was reopened at the victim’s request in November 2022.

Image: Netflix

The Straits Times reports that, when questioned, O Yeong-su consistently denied all the charges made against him.

Image: Netflix

In March 2024, the Seongnam branch of the Suwon district court in South Korea gave its verdict. O Yeong-su was found guilty of the charges against him and sentenced to a suspended prison sentence of up to eight months.

Image: Netflix

The period of suspension lasts two years, during which the actor needs to show good behavior. He will also be required "to attend 40 hours of sexual violence awareness classes," The Guardian reported.

Despite getting a suspended prison sentence, O Yeong-su is reported by Yahoo News to have plans to appeal the verdict. He continues to deny the charges.

Image: Netflix

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Since the latest court hearing in his case on October 29, the South Korean courts' ruling has remained unchanged. Furthermore, Naver states that O Yeong-su has been banned from appearing on South Korean television by the country's largest public broadcasting network, KBS.

Not letting O Yeong-su's scandal affect the production of what was meant to be his latest film work, 'About Family', SPOTV reports that the actor has been switched out with another veteran actor in the K-acting scene, Lee Soon-jae.

The same report from SPOTV continues with stating that all scenes shot with O Yeong-su in 'About Family' have been replaced with Lee Soon-jae's reshoot of the affected scenes. His performance was even alluded to have been better than O Yeong-su's!