‘Squid Game’ star O Yeong-su facing prison over alleged sexual assault

Driving the news: O, who won best supporting actor at the 2022 Golden Globe Awards for his role in Netflix’s “Squid Game,” was accused of non-consensually groping and kissing a woman while they were out on a walk in September 2017. The 79-year-old was indicted on sexual assault charges in November 2022. He denied all allegations in his first trial last February.

What prosecutors are seeking: Prosecutors demanded the year-long prison sentence at a hearing at the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court on Friday, arguing that O should be severely punished for not showing remorse. Additionally, they want the court to order a public disclosure of O’s personal information and bar him from engaging with institutions for children and adolescents. O is set for sentencing on March 15.

What he is saying: O said his legal situation has put him in “pain and agony.” Meanwhile, his lawyer argued that there is “very little” evidence in the case and that the court should consider factors such as the location, conditions and timing of the alleged incident, which supposedly make it “doubtful” that O could have committed the crime.

“Standing trial for things like this at this age, I am in such pain and agony … I feel my whole life is falling apart,” O said in his final remarks at the hearing.

What’s next: O is set to be sentenced on March 15. Following the development in his case, film distributor Lotte Entertainment announced on Wednesday its decision to remove him from the upcoming film “Big Family.” Veteran star Lee Soon-jae, 89, will take over his role.