‘Squid Game’ Star Park Sung-hoon Reflects on Playing Hyun-ju: “I Had a Thorough Understanding of What I Was Getting Into”
Seoul [South Korea], July 9:
When Park Sung-hoon was cast as Hyun-ju — a transgender woman known as “Player 120” in Squid Game Season 2 and 3 — his casting sparked immediate backlash. Critics pointed out that Park is a cisgender male, while Hyun-ju was written as a trans woman hoping to win the deadly competition to pay for gender-affirming surgery.
Now, with the final season released and Squid Game continuing to break streaming records — 106.3 million views in its first 10 days according to Netflix — perceptions of Park’s portrayal have shifted dramatically. Hyun-ju has become a fan-favorite and emotional cornerstone, especially after her heroic sacrifice in the series finale.
Park is now speaking openly about the controversy, preparation, and responsibility of portraying Hyun-ju, in what has become one of Netflix’s most-watched stories ever.
Park admits he questioned himself when first offered the role:
“Would it be acceptable for me as a cisgender actor to play a trans woman character? I had my worries. I had my concerns.”
But he was also deeply drawn to the humanity and depth of the character:
“I was determined to make her into a character who is not a caricature. I just wanted to create a very authentic portrayal of this very layered character.”
To bring Hyun-ju to life with nuance, Park interviewed transgender individuals, sought community guidance, and studied extensively.
“Hyun-ju was such a cool character — a good heart, selfless, a leader. I knew it required a deep understanding of trans women… I made sure I had a thorough understanding of what I was getting into.”
While Park didn’t invent a new backstory, he imagined her as someone shaped by social prejudice, yet driven by hope.
“She wants to complete her gender-affirmation surgery, move to Thailand, buy a house, and make friends with similar experiences. That was her why.”
In Season 3, Hyun-ju dies protecting her friends, including Jun-hee and her newborn baby, in one of the series’ most emotional moments. Park revealed that knowing the ending didn’t influence his performance — because Hyun-ju herself didn’t know what was coming.
“She would have done the same, even if she knew she could die. Her heart is really made of gold.”
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk had a specific vision for her final moment:
“He asked me to shed a single tear as I fell. I nailed it in the first take, but I cried even after ‘cut.’ It was very emotional.”
Park believes Hyun-ju’s character can be a turning point for more nuanced LGBTQ+ storytelling — especially in South Korean media.
“We’ve had many flat, stereotypical trans characters. I hope Hyun-ju opens doors to more layered LGBTQ+ characters.”
Best known for playing villains, Park says Squid Game has reintroduced him to audiences as someone capable of warmth and complexity.
“Thanks to Hyun-ju, I’m now filming another series — and I play a good guy this time.”
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