“Squid Game 2” Transgender Character Triggers Heated Debate
Spoiler Alert
Three years after Netflix‘s Korean thriller series, Squid Game, became a global phenomenon, Lee Jung Jae has returned as Seong Gi Hun to lead a new all-star cast into the next round of deadly games.
The Glory and Queen of Tears actor Park Sung Hoon plays one of the new characters introduced in Squid Game 2. His character, Hyun Ju (also romanized as Hyun Joo), was teased for a split second in a trailer, revealing a first look that surprised netizens. Park Sung Hoon appeared unrecognizable with a shoulder-length bob cut.
Netizens naturally became curious about Park Sung Hoon’s character’s backstory. Now, it’s finally been revealed.
Hyun Ju is a transgender woman who joins the Squid Game competition to win money for gender-affirming surgery.
The news triggered mixed reactions among netizens. Many felt that the role should have gone to an actual transgender actress.
ppl in the quotes insisting that it totally makes sense to cast a cïs man for this role because she's trying to fund her gender-affirming surgery
no it doesn't. transition is more than The Surgery and park sunghoon isn't doing any of it. cast a trans actress https://t.co/TTFzQvr2ip
— dani little ponie 🏳️⚧️🐀 (@00DaniPonie) December 5, 2024
On the other hand, some netizens are anticipating transgender representation regardless. Some pointed out that any actor would be putting themselves at risk for accepting the role, as South Korea is still a conservative society, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community often face homophobia, transphobia, etc. For instance, BL (Boy Love) K-Drama, Love in the Big City, and its actors have recently been facing homophobic protests and attacks.
For a transgender woman to have accepted the role, they would not have to have undergone gender-affirming surgery but out themself to the world and endure transphobia.
all this possibly without getting any support from her fellow actors, netflix and the production team?
— æ-célestine 🌈 (@cnusual) December 5, 2024
“Can’t they give this role to an actual trans woman”. These people don’t read or actually go anywhere else apart from America
It’s South Korea and they ain’t that flexible in this trans or lgbtv thingy. Where do you want to find a trans woman especially in the industry
— BIG AYO🔰 (@47kasz) December 5, 2024
south korea is still a very conservative country and doesn’t have any laws in place for queer people let alone trans people (this is changing slowly though! some positive movement recently!), so any representation is exciting for me knowing many people will see this 💫
— ayumi 🍒 (@Ayumiwaifu) December 5, 2024
People getting mad at this like there are tons of trans people allowed to act or even live normally in Korea… By the way Park Sunghoon is a really valid actor so I'm happy to see him in Squid Game. https://t.co/Bz1X4vfWaM
— kdrama era (@waitinforxtina) December 5, 2024
Many netizens agreed it’s “brave” for any actor to take on such a role.
I mean only two countries in all of Asia legalized same sex marriage. It is brave for the existing actor to even take this role!
— Follyyyy (@wtffolly_) December 5, 2024
Baby steps bro, SK is different. You smoke a little weed cancel. Idols dating Idols cancel. An idol reading a book about feminism cancel. Just take the Win
— joseph villarroel (@friezsnake) December 5, 2024
Based on Park Sung Hoon’s interview, it sounds promising the way he speaks about Hyun Ju. While he can’t empathize with his character as he is a cisgender man, he appears to have genuine respect and understanding for Hyun Ju.
Hyun Ju is a former special forces soldier and a transgender woman. She joins the game because she’s short on money for her gender-affirming surgery. 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.
— Park Sung Hoon
"Through her resilience, she breaks down stereotypes and shines as an inspiring character" The way Park Sung Hoon talks about his Squid Game 2 character ah pic.twitter.com/L6ugP9IDBU
— Andrew (@PsychoKolour) December 4, 2024
Still, many are not happy about the casting. They would have rathered a cis woman over a cis man to portray a transgender woman if an actual transgender actress could not be cast.
There r outted trans women in korea no? Using a whole ass man is crazy actually
— Vanessa✨ (@vanessaxxvo) December 5, 2024
You show exactly how you see us by not even considering a cis woman as the right choice if a trans woman isn’t cast. The bias is loud and clear do better
— sᴀɴᴄʜᴏ (@UTD_pla) December 5, 2024
yeah but putting a man in a wig is just something else entirely
— jusi gris (@jusigris) December 5, 2024
Some even thought Netflix could have cast a pre-op transgender woman and ultimately helped her get her gender-affirming surgery.
🤔🏳️⚧️ My Thoughts on Park Sunghoon, playing a Pre-op Trans Woman in Netflix Squid Game.👇🏾 https://t.co/qvuwyDx3ek pic.twitter.com/WpoanyFMeW
— Bella 🩷✨🦋 (@BellaLoveNote) December 5, 2024
Squid Game 2 releases on December 26.
