Squid Game Season 2: Who Hyun-Ju the Trans Character in the Series?
Squid Game Season 2 Netflix’s South Korean series returned with new characters expanding director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s universe. Among them, Hyun-ju stands out, a transgender woman who enters the competition and whose choice of interpreter has generated controversy. The inclusion of Hyun-ju in the second season of Squid Game has been a topic commented on by the followers of the series on social networks. This transgender character, struggling to overcome prejudice and achieve his dreams in Seoul, is understood as a key figure in understanding the complexities of Korean society that the series presents. Played by South Korean cisgender actor Park Sung-hoon, she, the 120 players, brings a broader perspective on the motives of the competitors in this dramatic story. Known for his role as Jeon Jae-jun in Netflix’s “The Glory”, Park Sung-hoon brings Hyun-ju to life with an interpretation that has not left the public indifferent. Although his performance has been applauded, it has also generated controversy, due to the production’s decision to choose a cisgender actor to play a trans character.
Who’s Hyun-ju in Squid Game Season 2?
Hyun-ju is a transgender woman who enters the competition to pay off her debts and finance surgeries that will allow her to complete her transition. Rejected by her environment after revealing her identity, her dream is to move to Thailand, where she hopes to find a more inclusive environment for the LGBT community. Throughout the series, Hyun-ju forms a special bond with Geum-ja, a 60-year-old woman participating in the games, in a relationship that brings some of the most emotional moments of the season.
Hyun-ju Controversy?
The election of Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender actor, to play Hyun-ju generated criticism from the audience and advocates of LGBTQ + representation in the media. “The trans character of ‘The Squid Game’ has very little to do. During the first four episodes, she simply walks quietly while other characters attack her. It is the type of evasive ‘representation’ that does nothing for anyone other than check a box”, wrote an Internet user. Some social media users noted that the ‘casting’ decision in the series perpetuates the lack of opportunities for transgender actors. Others questioned that Hyun-ju’s development in the series is limited, reducing its narrative impact to anecdotal scenes that do not explore its history in depth.
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“Conservative parents complaining about a trans character in ‘The 2′ Squid Game. How…? Not appropriate for children? Sex in the bathroom, organ harvesting, and blood buckets didn’t dissuade you from showing it to your son, but did a trans woman do?”, wrote another Internet user in X.
Why Was Hyun-ju Not Played By a Trans Actress?
In an interview with TV Guide Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said the decision to hire cisgender actor Sung-hoon was not initial, as they were planning to have a transgender Korean actress in the series. However, that was very difficult during the audition process, because the LGBTQ+ community in South Korea is not yet openly accepted.
“At first we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor”, explained the director. “When we investigated in Korea, there are almost no actors who are openly trans, much less openly gay, because unfortunately in today’s Korean society, the LGBTQ community is still quite marginalized and more neglected, which is heartbreaking “, added.
Who is Actor Park Sung-Hoon?
Park Sung-hoon has always excelled in the South Korean entertainment industry for its acting versatility. He is internationally recognized for his role as Jeon Jae-jun in “The Glory”, a popular platform series, where he played a cruel and manipulative millionaire. However, actor Sung-hoon has participated in other successful series, such as “Psychopath Diary” and “My Only One”. Born in 1985, he began his career in theater before making the leap to television, building a solid reputation for dramas of various genres. Off-screen, he is known for his commitment to social causes and his ability to adapt to complex roles although this time his portrayal in Squid Game Season 2 generated divided opinions.
