What Park Sung Hoon Wanted To Avoid When Portraying A Transgender Character In “Squid Game 2”
Actor Park Sung Hoon has attracted a lot of attention from all over the world with his portrayal of Hyunjoo — a transgender special forces officer — in Squid Game 2. Known for his versatility, Park claims he approached this role with a commitment to authenticity, steering clear of the exaggerated portrayals often seen in media.
In a recent interview, Park shared his process, emphasizing the importance of grounding Hyunjoo in realism. Park wanted viewers to see Hyunjoo not just as strong but as a deeply human character shaped by her life experiences.
I tried to avoid excessive voice modulations or exaggerated gestures. Instead, I focused on understanding what kind of life Hyun Joo had lived, what disadvantages she faced, and how she behaved in the game to build the character.
I wanted to convey a sense of unease beneath Hyun-joo’s strength and determination. Rather than just portraying her as strong and unwavering, I thought adding layers of worry and leadership would make her appear more multidimensional.
— Park Sung Hoon
Hyunjoo’s story was partially inspired by Byun Hee Soo, South Korea’s first openly transgender soldier, who faced significant discrimination after coming out. According to Park, director Hwang Dong Hyuk wrote the character with Byun in mind. However, Park noted that he didn’t aim to replicate Byun’s story but instead drew on the challenges Hyunjoo might have faced to bring depth to the character.
After I joined the project, Director Hwang told me he had Byun Hee-soo in mind while writing the character. However, I didn’t attempt to mimic. Instead, I built Hyun Joo’s character layer by layer, thinking about the disadvantages and hardships she must have faced throughout her life.
— Park Sung Hoon
Every aspect of Hyunjoo’s portrayal was thoughtfully considered. Park collaborated with the production team on her appearance, experimenting with hairstyles and makeup to create a look that felt right. Even his voice acting was intentional, balancing a softer tone for day-to-day moments with deeper inflections during intense scenes to reflect her inner strength and struggles.
Director Hwang Dong Hyuk, the costume and makeup team leaders, and I experimented with various looks, including short and long hairstyles, to find the right fit. We also tried different nail colors. At first glance, I thought I resembled my older sister a lot. She didn’t know I was taking on this role, but after watching the series, she praised and supported me.
I used a higher tone than my usual speaking voice because my natural voice is very deep. However, during intense, life-threatening moments, my voice would reveal a stronger sense of masculinity. I believed the emotions needed to fit the moment. We filmed each scene after detailed discussions with the director.
— Park Sung Hoon
As such, Park claims he aimed to deliver a portrayal that goes beyond clichés, offering a fresh perspective on transgender representation in the K-Drama scene.
