Oh Dal-Su Addresses Sexual Misconduct Allegations Amidst Career Comeback

Oh Dal-Su Breaks Silence on Allegations

Oh Dal-Su, an actor widely recognized for his portrayal of Captain Park in Squid Game Season 2, has recently spoken out regarding the sexual misconduct allegations that have been directed at him. These accusations first emerged during the #MeToo movement in February 2018, when a woman claimed he had abused her in the 1990s while he was involved in theater. Initially, he denied these claims, but after actress Uhm Ji-Young brought forth additional allegations from 2003 during an interview on JTBC's Newsroom, he acknowledged his past actions of sexual harassment and expressed remorse to the victims. Despite being cleared of all charges in 2019, the 57-year-old actor has now chosen to address the ongoing controversy.

Oh Dal-Su Discusses His Withdrawal from Public Life

Oh Dal-Su on Sexual Harassment Allegations

In a recent interview with Edaily, Oh Dal-Su elaborated on his decision to retreat from the public eye following the allegations. He expressed feelings of disappointment and anxiety upon finding himself embroiled in such a scandal. "I believe it is essential to present a clear and accurate stance, regardless of the circumstances. However, being thrust into the Me Too movement was bewildering. I feared that even a single careless remark could be misreported. I want to sincerely apologize to the two women involved. Nonetheless, I do not identify as a rapist or a sexual offender. I have not lived my life in that manner. If any women were hurt during my youthful indiscretions, I apologize for that and reflect critically on my younger self. However, I cannot accept being labeled a 'rapist' based solely on the statements of those two individuals," he stated.

Oh Dal-Su Refuses to Accept the Label of Rapist

Oh Refused to Call Himself a Rapist

The actor firmly rejected the notion of being labeled a rapist or sexual offender, asserting that he does not believe his past relationships constituted assault. He remarked, "In sexual relationships, the intentions of both parties may not always align perfectly. The greater the disparity, the more it can be perceived as sexual assault. If a woman I was involved with recalls that experience as painful, I believe it is right to apologize without hesitation."

Oh Dal-Su's Career and Squid Game Role

About the Case and Squid Game Casting

After the allegations surfaced, Oh Dal-Su took a hiatus from his career, spending time on Geoje Island where he reportedly engaged in farming. His case was ultimately closed without a formal investigation due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, as the incidents occurred in the 1990s. Initially, there was resistance to his casting in Squid Game, but he plays a sailor named Captain Park in Squid Game 2, who aids detective Hwang Jun-Ho (Wi Ha-Joon) and later assists the main character Seong Gi-Hun, also known as Player 456 (Lee Jung-Jae), in uncovering the games' location and dismantling the organization behind them.