Squid Game season two introduced a new character, Cho Hyun-ju, also known as Player 120. Despite being transgender, the role was played by cisgender actor Park Sung-hoon.
After most of the characters were killed off at the end of season one, Squid Game brought in a new group of people fighting for their lives in the hopes of winning a large cash prize. While I didn’t think anyone could replace the characters we became attached to before they were killed, I was proven wrong with the introduction of characters like Thanos, Park Jung-bae, and Cho Hyun-ju.
When it was first announced that Sung-hoon would play Hyun-ju, there was a lot of criticism, with some people suggesting that the role should have gone to a transgender actor instead.
Squid Game creator explains why a transgender actor wasn’t cast
Park Sung-hoon is a highly skilled actor with roles in projects like Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, My Only One, Memorials, The Glory, and Queen of Tears. However, there was doubt about whether he could effectively portray the trans experience on the Netflix show. After facing criticism, Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that casting a real transgender person could have put them in danger in South Korea, where LGBTQ+ discrimination is still common.
“When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in the Korean society currently the LGBTQ community is rather still marginalised and more neglected, which is heartbreaking,” Dong-hyuk told TV Guide.
On playing a transgender character, Sung-Hoon shared with Tudum: “Even though she faces prejudice and tough situations, she shows incredible strength, decisiveness, and natural leadership. Through her resilience, she breaks down stereotypes and shines as an inspiring character.”
While representation is important in 2024, it’s necessary to consider that even in the West, trans actors still face persecution and hate. In countries like South Korea, such negativity is more commonly accepted.
Though it would have been great to see a transgender Korean woman in the role, simply having Player 120 as a well-developed character could help advance South Korea’s LGBTQ+ movement.
Is Player 120 in Squid Games transgender in real life? Who is Park Sung-hoon?Who is Park Sung-hoon?
Park Sung-hoon, a 39-year-old South Korean actor, plays the character Hyun-ju in Squid Game season 2.
Although Sung-hoon portrays a transgender woman on the show, he is male and is not transgender in real life.
Before Squid Game, which has made him famous internationally, Sung-hoon was well known for his roles in movies and shows like Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, My Only One, Memorials, Netflix’s The Glory, and Queen of Tears.
In recent years, he has become known for playing villainous roles, making his portrayal of the kind and lovable Hyun-ju even more exciting for Korean fans who have followed his work.
Sung-hoon keeps his personal life private, but it was reported that he had a six-year relationship with South Korean actress Ryu Hyun-kyung before they broke up in 2022.
Why is Park Sung-hoon’s role as Hyun-ju a controversial casting choice?
When it was first announced that Park Sung-hoon would play a trans woman, fans of the series had mixed reactions.
LGBTQ+ fans criticized the casting choice, arguing it could harm trans representation and reinforce harmful and inaccurate views of trans women. Many people questioned why a trans actress wasn’t cast instead.
However, others, including the creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, explained that casting a trans actor in South Korea could cause personal harm due to the country’s lack of acceptance. Discrimination against LGBTQ people is common in South Korea.
In the show, Hyun-ju joined the games to win money for her gender-affirming surgery.
In an interview with TV Guide, Hwang shared that he originally wanted to cast a trans actor for the role of Hyun-ju but couldn’t find anyone suitable.
“When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in the Korean society currently the LGBTQ community is rather still marginalised and more neglected, which is heartbreaking,” Hwang explained.
Park Sung-hoon described Hyun-ju in an interview with Tudum: “Even though she faces prejudice and tough situations, she shows incredible strength, decisiveness, and natural leadership. Through her resilience, she breaks down stereotypes and shines as an inspiring character.”