Squid Game: Cases of Sexual Assault, Drugs, and More Each of the Controversies of the Actors?
Squid Game is a South Korean series that became a worldwide phenomenon after its premiere on Netflix in September 2021. Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the production combines elements of thriller, drama, and horror, focusing on a group of people participating in deadly games in hopes of making a lot of money. What quickly captured global attention was its striking narrative, the characters’ intense moral dilemmas, and its intense criticism of social inequalities. The show not only conquered millions of viewers but also generated numerous nominations and awards, including historical recognition at the Emmy Awards. Despite its success, “Squid Game” has not been without controversy.
The plot has provoked debates about violence, inequality, and capitalism, but also, some members of the cast have also been protagonists of controversies that have affected the public perception of the series. While many actors in the series have been acclaimed for their performances, some of them have faced off-screen scandals that have called their reputations into question. In this note, we will explore the various controversies that have surrounded the actors of “Squid Game”, some of which involve serious crimes, accusations of misconduct, and problematic behaviors in real life. From allegations of sexual abuse to controversies over drug use and homophobic attitudes, these incidents have affected the image of the artists and the series itself. Next, we will detail each of the most relevant scandals of the actors associated with the series.
Squid Game: The Scandals of The Actors
O Yeong Su: Allegations of Sexual Harassment
Or Yeong Su, who achieved world fame with his role as Oh Il Nam, or “Grandpa Gganbu”, in “Squid Game”, was the protagonist of one of the most media controversies. In November 2022, he was accused of improperly touching an actress, hugging her, holding her hand, and kissing her cheek in an unwanted way. These events would have occurred during an encounter with the actress, who later denounced the incident. Although O initially denied the charges, the case continued to be investigated and in May 2024, he was found guilty by a South Korean court.
The verdict sentenced the actor to an eight-month prison sentence, although it was suspended for two years, which means that he would not have to serve it if he did not commit another crime in that period. O Yeong Su called this sentence “too harsh”, arguing that he “had already been punished by the people” due to public attention to his case, so he decided to appeal the sentence. Following this scandal, the actor was removed from various film projects, and the industry viewed him suspiciously during the time the case was on trial.
Lee Jung Jae: Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol And Aggression
Lee Jung Jae, who played protagonist Seong Gi Hun (Player # 456), is another actor who has faced controversy in his career. In his case, the controversy began as a result of several incidents in his personal life. In 1999, he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, after a traffic accident in which his blood alcohol level reached 0.222%, well above the legal limit. This fact caused the revocation of his driver’s license and the subsequent conviction. Years later, in 2002, Lee was arrested again for a similar case.
But the controversy did not end there. In 2000, Lee was charged with assault in two different incidents, one at a bar in Seoul and the other in front of a nightclub in Busan, where he was alleged to have assaulted two people in violent circumstances. Although these cases did not result in convictions, Lee Jung Jae’s public image was tarnished by these episodes.
More recently, Lee Jung Jae was criticized for comments that were interpreted as homophobic. In a 2013 interview with Vogue Korea, the actor commented on a deceased friend, commenting on the person’s sexuality in derogatory terms. Although many fans believe Lee has changed over time, these words revived in the context of his recent successes and sparked protests.
Additionally, Lee was embroiled in a business conflict with Raemongraein, a production company that he acquired, culminating in a legal dispute with the company’s executive director. This ongoing controversy has drawn attention due to Lee’s profile in the entertainment industry.
Lee Byung Hun: Gambling Scandals and Blackmail
Lee Byung Hun, known for playing the villain Hwang In Ho in “Squid Game”, has also been at the center of several controversies throughout his career. Despite being a prominent figure in Hollywood and South Korea, his personal life has been marked by scandals. One of the first was in 2009 when his ex-girlfriend sued him for cheating on her with promises of marriage and for being a chronic player. Lee responded with defamation and extortion counterclaims, and the case ended in his favor, but not without controversy.
However, one of the most serious incidents of his life was a blackmail scandal in 2014, when Lee was recorded making lewd comments by two women, one of whom was part of the GLAM music group. The women demanded a sum of money in exchange for not broadcasting the video but were arrested and sentenced to prison (albeit on probation). This blackmail case seriously affected Lee Byung Hun’s reputation.
TOP (Former Member of BIGBANG): Drug Abuse and Legal Problems?
TOP, who appears in the second season of “Squid Game” as Thanos (Player # 230), was a member of the BIGBANG group and has been at the center of a substance abuse scandal. In 2017, he was arrested for marijuana use alongside controversial former apprentice Han Seo Hee, earning him a probation sentence. The incident occurred during his compulsory military service, which caused quite a stir in the media.
Despite his repentance and declaring that he stopped using drugs, the scandal damaged TOP’s image in the entertainment industry, and he was suspended from his role in the military while his case was being resolved. Later, he also suffered an overdose of benzodiazepines, exacerbating the controversy surrounding him.
Oh Dal Su: Accusations of Sexual Harassment and Movement #MeToo
Oh Dal Su, who appeared in the second season of “Squid Game” as Captain Park, was involved in the 2018 #MeToo movement when an actress accused him of sexual harassment. Although she initially denied the allegations, more women joined the complaint, and Oh Dal Su was forced to apologize for his conduct. However, because the events occurred in the 1990s, the case was closed in 2019, after the statute of limitations expired.
Despite asking for forgiveness and temporary withdrawal from the media, the actor suffered a heavy blow to his career, and the controversy left a mark on his legacy within the industry.
Song Young Chang: Child Prostitution and Criminal Conviction
Song Young Chang, who appears in the second season of “Squid Game” as Im Jeong Dae, has had a career tainted by a very serious crime. In 2000, he was arrested and convicted of child prostitution, becoming the first South Korean actor to be sentenced for this crime. He was accused of paying a 16-year-old girl to have sex in his car, leading to a 10-month prison sentence, although he only served a month before being released on probation.
This scandal severely affected his career, and Song was expelled from several major media outlets, although he was eventually able to continue working in the entertainment industry after moving to Canada. However, his dark past continues to haunt his image.
Lee Jin Wook: Allegations of Rape and Counterclaim
Lee Jin Wook, who plays Kyung Suk in the second season, was charged in 2016 with sexual assault by a woman who alleged that the actor attacked her in her apartment. Although the court did not consider the accusation as a violation, the case was widely debated in the media. In response, Lee filed a counterclaim on false charges, and the accuser was sentenced to prison for making false statements.
The controversy surrounding Lee Jin Wook recently re-emerged when her accuser claimed that she was coerced by the police and that she had been the victim of actual assault. Although the actor was acquitted, the case left a shadow over his image.
Park Sung Hoon: Controversy Over Inappropriate Parody
Park Sung Hoon, who plays the role of Cho Hyun Ju in the second season of “Squid Game”, was criticized for an incident related to social media. In 2024, the actor published in his Instagram stories a parody that included images of naked Japanese actresses. This gesture provoked a strong public reaction, and Park’s agency quickly addressed the matter, calling it an “error”. The actor also apologized for the inappropriate publication and assured him that he would not make such a mistake again.
The election of Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender actor, to play Hyun-ju generated criticism from the audience and advocates of LGBTQ+ representation in the media. “The trans character of Squid Game has very little to do. During the first four episodes, she simply walks quietly while other characters attack her. It is the type of evasive ‘representation’ that does nothing for anyone other than check a box”, wrote an Internet user. Some social media users noted that the ‘casting’ decision in the series perpetuates the lack of opportunities for transgender actors. Others questioned that Hyun-ju’s development in the series is limited, reducing its narrative impact to anecdotal scenes that do not explore its history in depth.
