The Shocking Legal Rollercoaster: 5 Key Updates On Squid Game Actor Oh Young-soo's Arrest And Acquittal

The global spotlight on the cast of Netflix’s megahit series, *Squid Game*, has been intense, but none more so than on veteran actor Oh Young-soo. The man who brought the complex and ultimately sinister character Oh Il-nam (Player 001) to life has been embroiled in a highly publicized and dramatic legal battle over sexual misconduct allegations since 2022. As of December 10, 2025, the case has taken a series of shocking turns, moving from an initial guilty verdict to a stunning acquittal, which has now been challenged by the prosecution, ensuring the legal drama is far from over.

The latest development centers on a crucial appeals court decision that reversed the earlier conviction, but the prosecution's immediate counter-appeal means the 81-year-old Golden Globe winner's fate remains in judicial limbo. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the allegations, the legal timeline, and the celebrated career of the actor at the center of this controversy, offering a fresh perspective on a story that continues to evolve rapidly in the South Korean legal system.

Oh Young-soo: A Deep Dive into the Veteran Actor's Biography and Career

Oh Young-soo, born O Se-kang on October 19, 1944, is one of South Korea's most respected and decorated veteran actors. His career spans over five decades, primarily dedicated to the stage, earning him the moniker of one of the nation's greatest theater actors. His sudden global fame with *Squid Game* was the culmination of a lifelong commitment to the arts, making his recent legal troubles all the more shocking to fans worldwide.

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• Full Name: O Se-kang (Oh Young-soo is his stage name)
• Date of Birth: October 19, 1944
• Age: 81 (as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Kaesong, Gyeonggi Province (now North Korea)
• Education: Dongguk University (Department of Theater and Film)
• Career Start: Began acting on stage in 1963.
• Theater Career: Joined the prestigious National Theater Company of Korea in 1987. He has participated in over 200 stage productions, including iconic roles in Korean adaptations of Shakespeare and Chekhov.
• Awards (Pre-Squid Game): Won the Baeksang Arts Award, one of South Korea's most prestigious arts awards, in 1994.
• Breakout Global Role: Oh Il-nam (Player 001) in the 2021 Netflix series *Squid Game*.
• Major International Award: Became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film in 2022 for his role in *Squid Game*.
• Other Notable Works: Appeared in films like *A Little Monk* (2002) and *Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring* (2003).

His extensive background in classical theater lent a profound gravitas to his portrayal of Oh Il-nam, a character whose final reveal was central to the show's narrative twist. This established legacy is a key factor in the intense media scrutiny surrounding his legal proceedings.

The Allegations and The Initial Conviction: A Timeline of the Scandal

The legal saga began to unfold in late 2022, long after *Squid Game* had cemented its status as a global phenomenon. The allegations concern events that allegedly took place five years earlier, in 2017. The case has been a high-profile example of the ongoing conversation around accountability and historical allegations within the South Korean entertainment industry.

The Charges and The First Trial

The initial complaint was filed in December 2021 by an actress identified only as "A," alleging that Oh Young-soo indecently assaulted her on two separate occasions in 2017.

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• Alleged Incident: The actor was accused of hugging the victim and kissing her on the cheek without her consent while they were on a trip together to a rural area for a play.
• Initial Investigation: The case was initially closed by police in April 2022 but was reopened at the request of the victim.
• Formal Indictment: Prosecutors formally indicted Oh Young-soo on charges of indecent assault in November 2022.
• The Defense: Oh Young-soo consistently and vehemently denied the allegations, maintaining that his actions were merely expressions of friendship and goodwill, not sexual misconduct.
• The Conviction: In March 2024, the Suwon District Court, Seongnam Branch, found the actor guilty. The court sentenced him to an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.

The conviction sent shockwaves through the industry, tarnishing the image of the beloved "Grandpa" from *Squid Game* and leading to a temporary halt in his professional activities, including the removal of a public service advertisement he had filmed. The actor immediately announced his intention to appeal the guilty verdict, setting the stage for the next, and most dramatic, chapter.

The Dramatic Acquittal and The Prosecution's Counter-Appeal

The legal proceedings took an unexpected and decisive turn in late 2025. The appeal process, which focuses on re-examining evidence and legal interpretation, resulted in a complete reversal of the initial ruling, but the legal battle is not definitively resolved due to an immediate counter-move by the prosecution.

The Appeals Court Reversal

On November 11, 2025, the Criminal Appeals Division 6 of the Suwon District Court delivered a stunning verdict.

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• Verdict Overturned: The appeals court overturned the lower court's finding of guilt and issued a not-guilty verdict on all charges of indecent assault.
• Reasoning: While the full details of the appeals court's reasoning have not been widely publicized, the reversal typically suggests that the higher court found insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, or that there were issues with the legal interpretation of the facts presented in the first trial.
• Actor's Relief: The acquittal offered a massive relief to the octogenarian actor and his legal team, seemingly clearing his name after nearly three years of legal turmoil and public scrutiny.

This acquittal, announced just weeks before this article's publication, was the most significant development in the case. It raised questions about the reliability of the evidence presented in the initial trial and highlighted the complexities of sexual misconduct cases that rely heavily on testimony and circumstantial evidence.

The Ongoing Legal Battle: Prosecution Appeals to Supreme Court

Despite the appeals court's clear not-guilty ruling, the legal process has not concluded. The prosecution, dissatisfied with the reversal, has filed an immediate appeal to the Supreme Court of Korea.

• The Appeal: The prosecution's decision to appeal means they are challenging the appeals court's interpretation and application of the law, pushing the case to the highest judicial body in South Korea.
• Current Status: As of December 2025, the case is now pending review by the Supreme Court. This final stage will determine whether the acquittal stands or if the case will be sent back for further review.
• Implications: The Supreme Court does not typically re-examine factual evidence but focuses on legal errors. This final appeal is the last legal hurdle for Oh Young-soo to definitively clear his name.

The protracted nature of the case, involving multiple trials, a conviction, an acquittal, and now a Supreme Court appeal, underscores the high-stakes nature of the allegations and the actor's celebrity status. The final verdict will have significant implications not only for Oh Young-soo's legacy but also for how high-profile sexual misconduct cases are handled in South Korea.

Topical Authority: The Impact of the Scandal on Oh Young-soo's Legacy and South Korean Media

The legal troubles of Oh Young-soo have had a profound impact, extending far beyond the courtroom. His case has become a major focal point in South Korean media, touching on issues of the #MeToo movement, the treatment of elderly celebrities, and the power of global fame.

The *Squid Game* actor's journey from a revered theater veteran to a global star, only to be immediately embroiled in a scandal, is a cautionary tale about the intense scrutiny that follows international success. The initial conviction led to public condemnation and professional setbacks. Conversely, the subsequent acquittal has sparked debate about the importance of the appeals process and the presumption of innocence.

Regardless of the Supreme Court's final decision, the case has already carved out a complicated place in the history of the *Squid Game* phenomenon and the actor's personal legacy. It has brought international attention to the South Korean legal system and the ongoing cultural shift regarding sexual harassment claims. The world awaits the final chapter in this dramatic and high-stakes legal saga.