Oh Young Soo, the 81-year-old actor best known for his role as “Gganbu Grandpa” in Squid Game, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault. The verdict was announced on April 3 by the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Appeals Division 6-1, following the final hearing of the case.
The charges stem from allegations made by a fellow actress from his theater troupe, who accused Oh Young Soo of inappropriate physical contact. According to the prosecution, the veteran actor sexually harassed a junior colleague, leaving her in fear both professionally and personally. They emphasized her mental distress and referenced previous apologies from the actor as part of their argument.
During the trial, the prosecution maintained its initial stance, requesting a one-year prison sentence—the same penalty they had sought in the first trial. The victim’s legal representatives criticized the actor’s response to the allegations, particularly his remark that he acted “with the heart of a father” when asked for an apology, which they argued further traumatized the victim.
Oh Young Soo and his defense team denied the allegations, claiming his previous apology was misinterpreted. His lawyers argued that at the time of the accusations, the actor was under immense public scrutiny due to his newfound global fame from Squid Game and only issued a formal response to avoid controversy. They also pointed out inconsistencies in the victim’s statements, questioning their specificity and logical coherence.
The incident reportedly involved the actor forcibly hugging the woman during a walk and later attempting to kiss her in front of his home. However, Oh Young Soo has continued to maintain his innocence, stating, “I am ashamed to be standing in court at this age.”
With the guilty verdict now in place, Oh Young Soo is set to serve a one-year prison sentence, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the esteemed performer.
