South Korean actor Oh Dal-Su, widely recognised by international audiences for his appearance in Squid Game Season 2, has once again spoken about the sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced during the height of the #MeToo movement. Although he was cleared of charges in 2019, the 57-year-old actor recently addressed the controversy in a detailed interview, stating firmly that he cannot accept being labelled a rapist.
The allegations first emerged in February 2018, when a woman accused Oh of sexual abuse dating back to the 1990s, during his early years working in theatre. At the time, Oh initially denied the claims. However, as more accusations surfaced, including one made publicly by actress Uhm Ji-Young on JTBC Newsroom regarding an alleged incident in 2003, the actor admitted to acts of sexual harassment and issued an apology to the women who came forward.
In his recent interview with Edaily, Oh reflected on the personal and professional toll the allegations took on him. He explained that being publicly named during the height of the #MeToo movement left him confused and fearful of saying anything that might be misinterpreted or prematurely reported.
“I believe that, regardless of the situation, it is right to present a clear, accurate, and prompt position. However, when I suddenly became the subject of the Me Too movement, it was very confusing. I was afraid that even a single word spoken carelessly might be reported prematurely,” he said.
While reiterating his apology to the two women who said they were hurt, Oh drew a distinction between acknowledging inappropriate behaviour and accepting criminal labels. “I would like to once again apologise to the two women. However, I am not a rapist or a sexual offender. I have not lived that way,” he stated.
He added that if any women were hurt during relationships with him in his younger years, he takes responsibility for his immaturity at the time. “If there were women who were hurt in relationships with me during my immature twenties, I want to apologize for that alone and reproach my younger self. But I cannot accept living my entire life labeled a ‘rapist’ based on the words of those two individuals,” he said.
Oh further elaborated on his perspective regarding relationships and consent. “I believe that when a man and a woman engage in a sexual relationship, their intentions may not always completely align. The greater that difference is, the more it can be considered sexual assault. If a woman who was in a relationship with me remembers that experience as painful, then I believe it is right to apologize first, without hesitation,” he explained.
Following the allegations in 2018, Oh stepped away from the entertainment industry for several years. During his hiatus, he reportedly moved to Geoje Island and took up farming, distancing himself from public life. Authorities eventually closed the case without a formal investigation, citing the expiration of the statute of limitations, as the alleged incidents dated back to the 1990s. He was officially cleared of charges in 2019.
Oh’s return to mainstream acting came with Squid Game Season 2, the globally successful Netflix series. Reports indicated that his casting initially faced opposition due to the past controversy. In the series, he portrays Captain Park, a sailor who assists detective Hwang Jun-Ho, played by Wi Ha-Joon. The character later aids protagonist Seong Gi-Hun — also known as Player 456 — portrayed by Lee Jung-Jae, in their mission to uncover the location of the deadly games and dismantle the organisation behind them.
Despite returning to the screen, Oh continues to face scrutiny over the past allegations. While he maintains that he did not commit rape or sexual assault, he has acknowledged behaviour he describes as immature during his younger years. His recent interview signals an effort to clarify his position once again — balancing apology with a firm denial of criminal wrongdoing.