‘Squid Game’ grandpa appeals sexual harassment sentence, claims punishment too harsh

‘Squid Game’ actor O Yeong-su, accused of sexual harassment, is challenging the severity of his sentence from the first trial. 

During an appellate hearing at the Suwon District Court, O's legal representative argued that the sentence is excessively harsh, considering the actor’s situation. 

The defense highlighted that O, a first-time offender, has faced significant professional and public repercussions due to the case, including being removed from multiple film projects.

O, who gained international fame as the "Gganbu Grandfather" in Netflix’s "Squid Game" and became the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, was indicted in November 2022. 

The charges stem from allegations of inappropriate conduct in 2017, where he allegedly embraced and kissed a female junior colleague from his theater troupe. 

O has denied these allegations, but a lower court sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Both O and the prosecution have appealed the verdict, with the next hearing scheduled for October 29.