Oh Youngsoo, a renowned actor celebrated for his role in the hit series ‘Squid Game,’ has been convicted of indecent assault. The 79-year-old actor, who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Player No. 001 in the dystopian drama, was sentenced to eight months in prison, along with two years of probation and 40 hours of sexual violence education.
The incident in question dates back to 2017 when Oh was accused of inappropriately hugging an actress, holding her hand, and kissing her cheek. Despite denying the allegations and stating that his actions were intended to be helpful rather than inappropriate, the court found him guilty based on the accuser’s consistent narrative and supporting evidence.
The verdict has sparked a range of reactions on social media, with many expressing outrage over the relatively lenient sentence given the severity of the offense. One user tweeted, “Koreans and their funny law is on it again. What do you mean a sexual assault only has 8 months in prison? Treating a criminal like an intern or volunteer.” This sentiment reflects a shared concern about the need for stricter punishments for sexual assault perpetrators.
Another aspect that has drawn attention is Oh’s age at the time of the incident. The user’s reaction, “AT HIS BIG AGE??” reflects the disbelief that someone of Oh’s stature and experience would be involved in such behavior.
Furthermore, there is a prevailing sentiment that the two-year probation period and 40 hours of sexual violence education are insufficient measures considering the lifelong impact of sexual assault on victims. A social media user expressed this viewpoint by stating, “2 years is simply not enough. It’s really time we start raising the jail time for sexual assault because victims are going to have that trauma forever. He and every predator need LIFE in prison.”
Social media users have also noted the juxtaposition between Oh’s on-screen persona as a villainous character in ‘Squid Game’ and his real-life actions. One tweet succinctly captures this sentiment: “Bro was playing a villain in the show but he was NOT acting.”
The case has not only had a significant impact on Oh’s career, with him being excluded from upcoming projects and facing public scrutiny, but it has also sparked broader discussions about the adequacy of legal consequences for sexual assault crimes in South Korea.
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