The Dark Truth Behind Squid Game's Player 100: Actor Song Young-chang's Shocking Scandal

The global phenomenon of Netflix's Squid Game thrust a massive ensemble cast into the international spotlight, but for one particular actor, the sudden fame brought an unwanted resurgence of a decades-old, highly sensitive scandal. As of December 2025, discussions continue to circulate about the real-life controversies of several cast members, with particular focus on the veteran actor who portrayed Player 100, Im Jeong-dae, whose past legal issues have overshadowed his on-screen performance.

Player 100 was a minor, yet memorable, character in the deadly competition, known for his desperate greed and staggering debt. However, the actor behind the number, Song Young-chang, has a much more complex and disturbing public record that has been widely discussed across South Korean and international media, providing a stark contrast between the fictional desperation of the games and the harsh reality of his career.

Complete Biography and Filmography of Song Young-chang (Player 100)

Song Young-chang (송영창), the actor who brought the character Im Jeong-dae (Player 100) to life, is a veteran South Korean performer with a long and established career in film and television. His professional life has spanned over three decades, featuring roles in some of the country’s most critically acclaimed and commercially successful productions. The following is a detailed profile and list of his notable works.

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• Korean Name: 송영창 (Song Young-chang / Song Yeong-chang)
• Character Name in Squid Game: Im Jeong-dae (Player 100)
• Date of Birth: April 2, 1958
• Nationality: South Korean
• Birth Place: Chinhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
• Debut: Active since the 1990s
• Notable Filmography (Selected Works):
  • Remember (2022)
  • Hunt (2022) - As Department Head Kang
  • Collectors (2020) - As Sang-Gil
  • Deliver Us From Evil (2020)
  • The Man from Nowhere (2010)
  • Default (2018)
  • Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission (2019)
  • Jo Pil-Ho: The Dawning Rage (2019)
  • Shoot Me in the Heart (2015)
  • The Lies Within (TV Series)
  • Taxi Driver (TV Series)
  • Cleaning Up (TV Series)

The Character: Im Jeong-dae, Player 100’s Role in the Game

Within the narrative of Squid Game, Player 100, Im Jeong-dae, represents a specific type of participant: the older, deeply indebted individual whose desperation manifests as ruthless self-preservation. His character is introduced as a greedy old man burdened by a staggering debt of ₩10 billion, a sum that drives his every action inside the complex.

Unlike major characters such as Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) or Cho Sang-woo (Player 218), Player 100 is a peripheral figure, but his presence is crucial for illustrating the pervasive corruption and moral decay among the contestants. He is often seen aligning himself with stronger groups, attempting to manipulate situations for his own benefit, and displaying a general lack of empathy toward his fellow players.

Fan Theories and the Significance of Player Number 100

The number 100 itself has been a source of fascination and fan theories among the global audience. Some viewers have speculated on its connection to Player 001, Oh Il-nam, noting that 100 is the reverse of 001. This led to theories suggesting that Player 100 might have been a former winner, a VIP, or somehow connected to the game's organizers, though the show itself provides no confirmation of this.

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Furthermore, the character is sometimes highlighted in online discussions as one of the "smartest players" due to his strategic, albeit cynical, approach to survival. His willingness to betray others and his focus solely on advancing, regardless of the cost, makes him a chilling example of the kind of person the Squid Game system selects and rewards.

The Resurfaced Controversy: Song Young-chang’s 2000 Legal Case

The actor Song Young-chang's sudden international recognition following the Squid Game premiere in 2021 caused a major, sensitive controversy to resurface. The core issue revolves around a criminal conviction from the year 2000 that has been a known, yet often suppressed, part of his public record in South Korea.

In 2000, Song Young-chang was arrested and subsequently convicted on charges related to underage prostitution. Reports indicate that the actor paid a minor, a 16-year-old girl, for sexual intercourse. This highly sensitive legal case became a significant scandal at the time, leading to his conviction as a sex offender.

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The details of the case, including the reported payment of approximately US$150 (RM657) for the sexual act, were widely reported in the South Korean media. The resurfacing of this information has led to renewed public debate about the moral responsibility of streaming platforms like Netflix and production companies when casting actors with serious criminal records, particularly those involving minors.

Public and Media Reaction to the Scandal

The controversy surrounding Song Young-chang has created a difficult situation for the veteran actor. While he has continued to work in the industry, his past conviction remains a permanent fixture in discussions about his career. The global spotlight of Squid Game amplified the issue, with international media outlets picking up the story and exposing his background to a new, massive audience who were previously unaware of the 2000 legal case.

This situation highlights a recurring theme in the entertainment world: the struggle between an actor's professional talent and their personal history. For many viewers, the knowledge of the conviction makes it difficult to separate the fictional character of Im Jeong-dae from the actor's real-life actions. The ongoing discussion serves as a reminder of the scrutiny that comes with global fame, especially when an actor is part of a culturally significant project like the Squid Game universe. His involvement in the show, even in a small role, continues to generate topical authority and LSI keyword searches around the intersection of celebrity, crime, and streaming media ethics.

The debate about the casting choice is often placed alongside other controversies involving Squid Game cast members, such as the legal issues faced by O Yeong-su (Player 001) and the drug-related scandal involving Choi Seung Hyun (T.O.P) who was cast in the upcoming second season. These incidents collectively fuel the conversation about the ethics of the entertainment industry and the public's right to know about the backgrounds of the figures they watch on screen.