The 5 Biggest Questions About Squid Game's New Trans Character, Hyun-ju (Player 120)
The global phenomenon of Squid Game is set to return, and with it comes a lightning rod of discussion. As of late 2025, the most talked-about addition to the new season is not a game or a shocking twist, but a character: Cho Hyun-ju, a transgender woman and former soldier known as Player 120. The inclusion of a trans character in a high-profile Korean drama (K-Drama) is a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation, but the casting choice has simultaneously ignited a fierce debate that cuts to the heart of authentic storytelling.
This deep dive explores everything we know about Player 120, the actor portraying her, Park Sung-hoon, and the complex cultural controversy surrounding the decision to use a cisgender male actor for the role. The character's backstory—entering the deadly competition for gender-affirming care funds—adds a layer of heartbreaking, high-stakes motivation that is uniquely compelling.
Profile: The Actor and the Character at the Center of the Controversy
The introduction of Cho Hyun-ju is a major narrative pivot for the series, but the initial spotlight has been on the actor who brings her to life, Park Sung-hoon. Understanding his background and the character's profile is essential to grasping the full scope of the debate.
Park Sung-hoon: Actor Biography
- Full Name: Park Sung-hoon (박성훈)
- Date of Birth: February 18, 1985
- Nationality: South Korean
- Career Debut: 2008
- Agency: BH Entertainment
- Notable Roles: Park Sung-hoon is a respected South Korean actor who began his career with a small role in the 2008 film A Frozen Flower. He gained significant recognition for his work in television, earning the Best New Actor award at the 2018 KBS Drama Awards. He has since appeared in numerous K-Dramas and films, making his casting in the highly anticipated Squid Game Season 2 a major career milestone.
- Role in Controversy: Park Sung-hoon is a cisgender male actor cast to play the role of a transgender woman, Cho Hyun-ju.
Cho Hyun-ju (Player 120): Character Profile
- Player Number: 120
- Identity: Transgender woman (trans woman)
- Backstory: Hyun-ju is a former soldier who served in the ROK Special Forces. She was discharged from the military after coming out as a trans woman.
- Motivation: She enters the Squid Game to win the massive cash prize to fund her transition, specifically for gender-affirming care. This motivation adds a poignant, real-world layer of urgency to her participation.
The character's detailed and high-stakes backstory has been praised by many as a powerful piece of trans representation, highlighting the economic barriers to transition. However, this praise is often immediately followed by the criticism of the casting choice.
The Cisgender Casting Debate: Why Park Sung-hoon's Role is a Lightning Rod
The decision by director Hwang Dong-hyuk to cast a cisgender man, Park Sung-hoon, as a transgender woman, Cho Hyun-ju, has caused significant backlash within the queer community and among global audiences. This controversy is not new in Hollywood, but its emergence in a massive South Korean production like Squid Game has brought the issue to the forefront of K-Drama discussions.
The Core of the Criticism
Critics argue that casting a cis male actor in a trans female role perpetuates harmful stereotypes and denies opportunities to talented transgender actresses. This practice is often seen as a form of "transface," where a non-trans person is used to portray a trans identity, potentially reinforcing the idea that trans women are simply men in costume.
For a show that built its reputation on sharp social commentary, this casting choice felt like a missed opportunity to provide authentic representation and visibility for the South Korean transgender community, which already faces immense societal challenges.
Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Defense and the Korean Context
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has publicly defended the casting, citing the "near impossible" difficulty of finding an openly trans actress in South Korea.
He explained that the current social climate in Korea makes it extremely challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly trans actors, to be open about their identity and pursue high-profile roles. This defense shifts the focus from a creative choice to a reflection of the deep-seated societal issues and lack of visibility for the LGBTQ+ community in Korean society.
Park Sung-hoon himself has addressed the situation, expressing that he "really did not want to offend anyone" and took on the role with a deep sense of responsibility. He acknowledged the controversy but emphasized his commitment to respectfully portraying Hyun-ju's character depth and emotional journey.
The Impact of Trans Representation in Squid Game S2
Despite the casting debate, the mere existence of a well-written, complex transgender character in a show of Squid Game's magnitude is a landmark moment. Cho Hyun-ju is not a caricature; she is a former Special Forces soldier with a clear, relatable, and desperate motivation.
A Layered and Sympathetic Backstory
Hyun-ju’s storyline—fighting for the right to self-determination and essential medical care—resonates with the core themes of Squid Game: economic desperation and the lengths people will go to for survival and a better life. By tying her need for money directly to gender-affirming care, the show is shedding light on a critical issue faced by the global trans community.
Early fan reactions to the character's portrayal (separate from the casting) have been largely positive, describing her as "well-written," "likable," and a "badass transwoman." Her character is noted for having depth and carrying several key emotional scenes throughout the season.
Broader LGBTQ+ Presence in the Squid Game Universe
While the main series focuses on Hyun-ju, the Squid Game universe has already featured queer visibility in its reality spin-off, Squid Game: The Challenge. This show included several openly LGBTQ+ contestants, demonstrating a broader commitment to representation across the franchise.
- Phalisia (Player 229): A contestant in the reality series.
- Sam (Player 016): Another openly queer competitor.
- Dajah (Player 302): A lesbian finalist, adding to the show's diverse cast.
The inclusion of these players in the reality show, alongside the narrative of Cho Hyun-ju in the scripted drama, confirms that the Squid Game franchise is actively engaging with LGBTQ+ themes, even if the execution in the scripted series has sparked necessary and important conversations about casting ethics and authentic representation.
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