Lee Jung-jae, the actor who gained international fame for his role as Seong Gi Hun/Player 456 in Squid Game and is also starring in Disney+’s The Acolyte, has recently found himself in the midst of controversy. While his past issues are not as damaging as the serious allegations faced by fellow Squid Game cast members O Yeong-Su (Player 001) or Song Young-Chang (Player 100), they have reignited questions about the show’s casting process, particularly when it comes to managing legal and public relations risks.
Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae’s legal history
Jung-jae’s legal history has resurfaced online, especially considering his role in such a widely watched show. His past includes two DUI incidents, one in 1999 when he crashed his BMW into another car and had his license temporarily revoked, and another in 2002. He was also involved in two assault cases back in 2000. In one incident, he and a friend reportedly attacked another man during a bar fight in Seoul, while in another, a woman accused him of dragging her out of a nightclub in Busan and causing injury. Additionally, Jung-jae faced legal trouble in a dispute with Kim Dong Rae, the CEO of the company RaemongRaein, involving accusations of him and a former CEO forcing Kim to transfer shares to them.
Controversies involving other Squid Game cast members
These issues are part of a larger pattern of controversies among Squid Game’s cast members, many of which have raised concerns about the vetting process for the show. O Yeong-Su, who played Player 001, was convicted of sexual misconduct, which included allegations of unwanted touching and kissing. In 2024, he was sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term and ordered to attend sexual violence education. Former BIGBANG member T.O.P, who played the rapper Thanos (Player 230), faced criticism for past marijuana use during his mandatory military service in 2017. He was placed on probation and has since stepped away from the K-pop scene. Despite public concerns, Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk defended his casting, emphasizing T.O.P’s dedication to the role and the fact that his legal sentence had been completed.
Song Young-Chang, another actor from the series, was convicted in 2000 for paying a 16-year-old for sex. His sentence was suspended, and he served just 36 days in prison before being released. This has led to criticism of South Korea’s legal system, with many pointing out the discrepancy in how crimes like sexual violence are handled compared to offenses such as drug use. Additionally, some allegations against other actors, such as sexual assault charges against Lee Jin-wook and blackmail allegations against Lee Byung-hun, were later dropped or resolved, raising further concerns about the thoroughness of the casting and vetting process.
Taken together, these controversies shed light on the importance of proper background checks in casting, especially for a global phenomenon like Squid Game. The series has faced significant backlash from fans who believe that more rigorous screening could help avoid potential risks and ensure that actors with questionable pasts are not cast in such high-profile roles.