Jang Deok-su
| “ | This is Hell. What are the rules in Hell?
|
„ |
| ― Jang Deok-su to players behind him during Glass Stepping Stones |
Jang Deok-su (장덕수), also known as Player 101, was a contestant in the 33rd Squid Game.
Before entering the competition, he was a notorious gangster burdened with heavy debt. Throughout the games, he displayed a ruthless and aggressive nature, often resorting to intimidation and violence to assert dominance. Early on, he recruited several players to form an alliance and later instigated a deadly riot, resulting in the deaths of 27 contestants. He briefly engaged in a sexual relationship with Han Mi-nyeo but later betrayed her in favor of stronger teammates during Tug of War. His downfall came in the Glass Stepping Stones game when Mi-nyeo exacted revenge by pulling him down with her in a murder-suicide, eliminating both from the competition.
| Names | Jang Deok-Su (장덕수)
Player 101 Oppa (by Han Mi-nyeo) Old man (by Han Mi-nyeo) Boss (by Player 278) Brainless asshole (by Player 278) |
| Gender | Male ♂ |
| Race | Human |
| Occupation | Gangster |
| Origin | Squid Game Season 1 Episode 1: Red Light, Green Light (무궁화 꽃이 피던 날 Mugunghwa Kkoch-i Pideon Nal) |
| Alignment | Evil |
| Age | 30s or 40s |
| Created By | Hwang Dong-hyuk |
| Height | 180cm (5ft 11in) |
| Weight | 85 kg (187.3 lbs) |
| Personality Type | ESTP 8w7 (Enneagram) |
Appearance
Jang Deok-su was a burly and intimidating man with a muscular build and numerous tattoos covering his body, most notably a large snake tattoo stretching from his neck to his chest. He had short, slicked-back black hair and a rough, rugged facial structure that emphasized his menacing demeanor. His sharp, piercing eyes and frequent scowls contributed to his aura of hostility and aggression.
During the Squid Game, he wore the standard green tracksuit with the number 101 printed on it. However, he often rolled up the sleeves to expose his tattooed arms, further accentuating his tough and rebellious image. Outside the game, he dressed in flashy, gangster-style clothing, including open-collared shirts, heavy jewelry, and dark sunglasses, reflecting his criminal background and arrogant personality.
Personality
Deok-su was a violent, sadistic, and domineering individual who thrived on intimidation. He showed little to no remorse, frequently attacking and even killing other contestants—both for strategic gain and personal satisfaction. However, he displayed a rare moment of hesitation upon witnessing Byeong-gi’s corpse.
Despite his tough and fearsome exterior, Deok-su was deeply cowardly. He openly begged for his life when threatened during Red Light, Green Light and hesitated to move forward in the Glass Stepping Stones game. His hypocrisy was evident when he pressured others to take risks in the fifth game but refused to do so himself, exposing his self-preserving nature.
Biography
2020
At some point, Deok-su fell out of favor with his criminal boss in Incheon and amassed massive gambling debts with loan sharks in the Philippines. Desperate to escape his pursuers and clear his debts, he agreed to participate in the Squid Game. After surviving the first round, he voted to end the games but later attempted to infiltrate them to steal the prize money. However, his tarnished reputation prevented him from assembling a crew outside the competition.
Upon returning to the game, Deok-su formed and led a gang with several other contestants, including Byeong-gi, Player 278, and Han Mi-nyeo. He frequently attempted to intimidate and assault Kang Sae-byeok, a contestant who had previously worked for him. He also initiated a violent nighttime riot that resulted in multiple player deaths.
Initially, Deok-su kept Mi-nyeo in his gang after she helped him survive a round, leading to a brief sexual relationship. However, after Byeong-gi revealed that the next game was Tug of War, Deok-su betrayed her and replaced her with physically stronger men to increase his chances of survival.
In the fourth game, Marbles, Deok-su partnered with Player 278. When Player 278 was about to win, Deok-su demanded to switch the game, a request that was approved by a guard. Through sheer luck, Deok-su emerged victorious and loudly celebrated his win. Overwhelmed by despair, Player 278 attempted to escape but ran into a dead end and was shot while cursing the guards.
Deok-su’s luck ran out in the fifth game, Glass Stepping Stones. Placed at the front of the line, he refused to advance, instead demanding that others go ahead of him. This hesitation proved fatal when Mi-nyeo, seeking revenge for his betrayal, grabbed him by the waist. Despite his desperate attempts to break free, she mockingly reminded him of her promise to kill him and pulled them both off the bridge, leading to their deaths in a murder-suicide.
Powers and Statistics
Tier: 9-C
Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Martial Arts, Weapon Mastery (Deok-su is a competent knife wielder, having easily dispatching with small blades), Social Influencing, Stealth Mastery (Managed to sneak around to kill off dozens of Squid Game players in the middle of the night alongside 3 of his underlings)
Attack Potency: Street level (Physically the strongest contestant in the 33rd Squid Game. Drew blood from and overpowered Kang Sae-byeok, who could harm him. Killed Player 271 with kicks and has killed several players with his bare hands. Superior to his minions, who have also killed players with their bare hands and various players who overpowered a few Guards[1])
Speed: Peak Human (Managed to keep up with Kang Sae-byeok in combat.[2] Outran various street thugs[3] and police officers)
Lifting Strength: Peak Human
Striking Strength: Street level
Durability: Street level
Stamina: Peak Human (Easily tanked a 40 foot fall into some water while escaping street thugs, before making his way over to the waiting location to reenter the Squid Games. Continued fighting various players after receiving cuts during a scuffle)
Range: Standard Melee Range; Extended Melee Range with his knife
Standard Equipment: A knife
Intelligence: At least Above Average, possibly Gifted (Despite his intimidating brawn, Deok-su is a surprisingly cunning strategist who knows how to get away with various unfair advantages and manipulate his peers into thinking he's right. He is also exceptionally street smart; knowing where to hit his enemies and an excellent hand to hand combat fighter)
Weaknesses: Jang Deok-su is very egotistical and thinks too highly for his own gain. He also frequently abuses his own allies and comrades and betrays them too soon to the point where he frequently ends up with no one trusting him. He is also quite cowardly; when desperation calls for it, he makes reckless decisions and even lets his guard down.
