Squid Game Star Oh Young Soo, 77, Opens Up About Health Problems; Thought He Was Going to Die When He Had Pneumonia

Squid Game star Oh Young Soo is not only known for being the first Korean actor to win at the Golden Globes, but also his dedication to his craft.

When the 77-year-old thespian was named Best Supporting Actor in Television for his role as Squid Game's Player 001 at this year's Golden Globes, he declined all interviews as he wanted to focus on preparing for his play the next day.

Young Soo celebrating his win

The veteran star recently sat down for an interview with Rolling Stone Korea, where he opened up about his five decade-long acting career and health struggles.

When asked if there were low points in his career, Young Soo, who started acting at 22, replied: “It’s not so much a slump, but a time when I faced health problems."

In 2009, Young Soo suffered from coronary heart disease and had to undergo surgery to insert a stent in a blocked artery.

And then in 2018, his health was dealt another blow. He suffered from acute pneumonia, which he described in an earlier interview as the greatest crisis of his life.

He was hospitalised for 20 days and during the ordeal, he thought he was “about to die”.

The experience made him re-examine his health and he now exercises every morning to keep fit.

Acting is his passion

Young Soo began his acting career in 1967 as a member of a theatre troupe and has appeared in more than 200 plays.

Though it took 55 years before he gained mainstream success as an actor, Young Soo said he has no regrets and would still choose this path if given the choice again.

On his Golden Globe win, he said he was very happy and gave himself a pat on the back.

"This is the first time in my life that I want to tell myself, I am pretty good," he said.

Photos: Rolling Stone Korea, Netflix, Oh Young Soo/Instagram