30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Player 333 dark web video' goes viral amid Squid Game Season 3: Im Siwan aka Lee Myung Gi's idol past sparks hillarious reactions
Im Si Wan may be making headlines for his chilling performance in Squid Game Season 3 as player 333, aka Lee Myung Gi, but it's a newly resurfaced clip from his early idol days that's stealing attention online. On June 30, a post titled 'Im Si-wan's Past Finally Revealed to Overseas Fans' began circulating on Korean online communities, sharing a throwback video of the actor dancing to girl group hits during his time in ZE: A and international fans are floored.
Im Si Wan as Lee Myung Gi in Squid Game Season 3
Credit: Squid Game
In Squid Game Season 3 , which dropped on Netflix on June 27, Im Si Wan returns as Player 333, also known as Lee Myung Gi. His character was introduced in Squid Game Season 2 as a failed cryptocurrency investor who enters the deadly competition in search of redemption and a second chance. Si Wan's portrayal earned praise for its layered intensity, showcasing his ability to blend desperation, calculation, and raw vulnerability, a far cry from his cheerful idol image. His transformation in the survival thriller reaffirmed his versatility as an actor, especially for fans seeing him for the first time outside of Korea.
The viral 'Plater 333 Dark Web Video' that shocked the internet
The now-viral video comes from ZE:A's first official fan meeting, 'Happy ZE:A's Day', where the group performed covers of Orange Caramel's Magic Girl and miss A's Bad Girl Good Girl. Dressed in bright, over-the-top outfits, the members fully committed to the performances, with Im Si Wan front and centre. The post that shared the clip captioned it with, 'The sacred has finally been unearthed. Overseas fans are in chaos,' highlighting the surprised and amused reactions from international viewers who hadn't seen this side of the Squid Game actor before. The video had 'Player 333 Dark Web Video' written on it.
Credit: X
Netizens can't stop laughing
Korean netizens were just as entertained by the resurfaced footage. Comments ranged from shocked to sentimental, with many jokingly begging for the video to be deleted. Reactions included, 'Even Koreans are seeing this video for the first time.' 'He really lived his life to the fullest', 'ZE:A fans are so loyal', and 'Please bury this; we're all doomed.' One user summed it up with, 'I expected a lot, but not this. So sacredly shocking.'
From idol to actor: Im Si-wan's journey
Im Si Wan debuted with ZE:A in 2010. While the group never reached top-tier popularity, he carved a niche with his visuals and charisma. After transitioning to acting, he quickly earned acclaim through dramas like Misaeng: Incomplete Life, The King in Love, Strangers from Hell, Run On and Summer Strike, and the films The Attorney and Unlocked. His ability to take on dark, nuanced roles has only deepened over time, culminating in his Squid Game Season 3 appearance, which introduced him to a whole new global audience, many of whom are now doing a double-take after discovering his playful idol past.
Whether fans first met him as ZE: A's adorable dancer or as Player 333 in the Korean survival thriller, Im Si Wan will always leave fans impressed.
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