O Yeong-su Biography: Age, Net Worth, Wife, Golden Globe, Squid Game, Legal Issues, Theater, Children

O Yeong-su, born O Se-kang, is a veteran South Korean actor who began his career in theater in 1967 and has since appeared in over 200 stage productions.

Best known internationally for his acclaimed role as Oh Il-nam (Player 001) in the 2021 Netflix series Squid Game, he received a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination for his performance.

Renowned for frequently portraying monk characters due to his background in Buddhist plays, O Yeong-su has had a prominent presence in film, television, and theater.

However, his reputation was marred by legal issues after he was found guilty in 2024 of sexual misconduct related to incidents in 2017, initially receiving a suspended sentence.

Profile

• Full Name: O Se-kang
• Stage Name: O Yeong-su
• Born: 19 October 1944
• Age: 80 years old
• Birthplace: Kaepung, North Korea
• Nationality: Korean
• Occupation: South Korean actor
• Height: Unknown
• Parent: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Mo Kang
• Children: 1
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $950,000 to $4 million

Early Life And Education

O Yeong-su was born on October 19, 1944, in Kaiho District—then part of Japanese-controlled Korea, now known as Kaepung County in North Korea. His parents’ names remain unknown, and while he may have had siblings, details about them are scarce.

During the Korean War, his father was killed by North Korean communist forces, and one of his elder brothers was abducted by the North Korean army. Following the war, his family relocated to Paju in South Korea, where they endured harsh living conditions, including residing in underground shelters.

Although specific details of his education are limited, his long-standing involvement with the National Theater Company of Korea from 1987 to 2010 and his stage debut in 1967 suggest formal training and deep experience in theater. He is of Korean ethnicity, though his religious affiliation is not publicly known.

Career

O Yeong-su began his acting career on stage in 1967 and has since built an extensive theater portfolio, claiming to have appeared in over 200 productions. A longtime member of the National Theater Company of Korea (1987–2010), he worked alongside respected figures like Jang Min-ho, whom he credits as a mentor.

His notable stage roles include performances in A Confession for a Black Prostitute, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Merchant of Venice, and Goethe’s Faust, which he played in his thirties. Despite feeling too young for Faust and later too old for Richard III, he continued to take on challenging roles, including Prospero in The Tempest (2014) and King Lear in 2010 and again in 2017 with the Daegu Metropolitan Theater Company.

O also appeared in several other prominent plays, such as Prince Yeonsangun, The Problematic Figure, Fathers and Sons, and Freud’s Last Session, where he portrayed Sigmund Freud in 2021. Parallel to his stage career, he transitioned to on-screen acting, becoming known for his portrayals of monks—an extension of his experience in Buddhist-themed plays.

His film credits include The Soul Guardians (1998), A Little Monk (2003), and Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003). On television, he held roles in series such as 1st Republic (1981), Queen Seondeok (2009), The Return of Iljimae (2009), God of War (2012), and Chocolate (2019–2020).

In 2021, O Yeong-su rose to international prominence with his portrayal of Oh Il-nam (Player 001) in the Netflix phenomenon Squid Game. The series quickly became the most-watched show globally on the platform within its first month.

His performance earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film—the first for a Korean actor—and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. That same year, he also lent his voice as a narrator for an episode of the documentary series Documentary Three Days.

Social Media

Yeong-su does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

O Yeong-su has been married to Mo Kang, a banker thirteen years his junior, since 1987 after dating for approximately two years. The couple has at least one daughter, though details about their children remain largely private. It has been reported that O Yeong-su is currently being cared for by one of his children.

Filmography

Film:

• The Soul Guardians (1998)
• A Little Monk (2003)
• Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003)

Television Series:

• 1st Republic (1981)
• The Fairy Of Shampoo (1988)
• Queen Seondeok (2009)
• The Return of Iljimae (2009)
• God of War (2012)
• Chocolate (2019–2020)
• Squid Game (2021)

Net Worth

O Yeong-su’s net worth is estimated to range between $950,000 and $4 million, primarily earned through his extensive career in theater, film, and television. His internationally acclaimed role as Oh Il-nam in Netflix’s Squid Game notably enhanced both his global recognition and financial standing.